![\"ccs-62657-0-36185500-1484896613.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-36185500-1484896613.jpg\")
<\/a>South African National Elite Men\u2019s Champion, Jaco Venter is looking forward to defending his title in his own backyard at the 2017 SA National Road Championships in the Western Cape from 7-12 February. Photo: Cycling SA<\/span><\/p>\nHe is also hoping for a great few months ahead in Europe. \u201cStarting with Catalunya, then onto the hilly classics and hopefully then making it into the Tour de France team,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The Cape Town local says that it\u2019s something special to have the National Championships in the region. \u201cI regularly train out to the Wellington side, so it\u2019s like a home nationals, which I haven\u2019t had in a really long time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on 2016, Venter feels that what he has learnt most about himself in the year is his ability to forget the suffering endured, and how excited and motivated he becomes for each new season.<\/p>\n
Venter is currently taking part in the Santos Tour Down Under in Australia from 14-22 January. On the Tour, Venter said: \u201cDown Under is always a tricky and hard race because of its high level. It\u2019s my first race of the season as well. I never know what to expect after the training I\u2019ve been doing. I\u2019ve been feeling good on the bike and we’ve got a good team here so its been great so far and we\u2019re hoping to get onto the podium on the GC with Nathan Haas. We\u2019ve got two more difficult stages so we\u2019ll see how it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Entries for the 2017 SA National Road Championships are open and close on Wednesday 25 January. To enter, click here: https:\/\/cyclingsa-events.co.za\/app\/<\/a><\/p>\n