Team spirit and pride bound the five young men from Lavender Hill – the newbie cyclists who were chosen to be part of Virgin Active Development Cycling team. It was with one heart that they left the start line at 08:02.
The learners: Michael-Owen Dyson, Bevan Solomons, Faiez Basardien, Ashley Jacobs and Schalk Damons, who range in age from 16 to 18, were selected for their passion for the sport, their commitment to training and leadership potential to form the Virgin Active Development Cycling Team.
Michael-Owen Dyson, Wesley Noble and Deon Scheppel (Virgin Active), Ashley Jacobs, Schalk, Bevan Solomons and Faiez Basardien.
According to Wesley Noble, who heads up the Business as a Force for Good for the health club group and trained and mentored the five boys: “The shortened Cape Town Cycle Tour did nothing to dampen their spirit or the enthusiasm. They all had excellent times and Ashley Jacobs in particular had a phenomenal (unofficial) finishing time of 1 hour 30 minutes (the winning time of the first cyclist over the line was 1 hour 1 minute).
Noble says of the team: “Despite training hard for Suikerbossie and having to accept the disappointment of not tackling it on race day, the boys were troopers. They completed the 47 km in much quicker times than we expected. We are incredibly proud of the whole team who all had excellent finishes, despite having some technical difficulties on the way.”
Noble says Ashley in particular shows a natural talent for sprinting and his dream is to become a professional cyclist one day and compete in the Tour de France. Ashley just grins and says “it was an easy ride”.
With their fully equipped Scott Speedster professional road bikes, cycling gear and a helmet signed by Sir Richard Branson, these riders are not only aiming high in the world of cycling but now have transport from home to school, a way to get to their friends, part time jobs as well as the Virgin Active Steenberg health club where they have memberships. In short: Wheels means freedom.
Faiez Basardien, Ashley Jacobs, Schalk Damons and Bevan Solomons
The learners, who all experience hardships living in one of the worst gang ridden areas in Cape Town, say the opportunity to train and then compete in the largest timed cycling event was a way of “getting away from their circumstances and focussing on the road ahead.”
Where to now?
The team will be participating in the forthcoming Western Province trials at Killarney and will also be part of a relay team at the Discovery World Triathlon in April.
The opportunities for the young men beyond cycling include continued mentorship and having a positive influence on the wider community and fellow pupils at the school. “The purpose of the programme goes way beyond sporting events and competitions,” says Wesley. “The real goal is to provide alternatives for vulnerable youths from impoverished communities to explore and experience the world outside of their difficult lives. We really feel we have inspired these young men through the development cycling programme to achieve great things and we will be with them all the way.”
Quotes from the young riders after their races:
Schalk Damons
Bevan Solomons
It was incredible, I really enjoyed it. I pulled my hamstring on the last hill but carried on riding and believe that for my first “Argus” I did a good time, I put in the effort and it paid off. I am satisfied with my time and my race.
Faiez Basardien
Ashley Jacobs
Michael-Owen Dyson
Very heartening, welcome young men all the best with your cycling.