![\"ccs-62657-0-23064500-1428400023.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-23064500-1428400023.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>The nation\u2019s top track sprinter Jean Smith will be riding at the upcoming South African National Track Championships in Johannesburg at the Hector Norris Park Cycling Track from 7-11 April. \/\/ Photo credit: craigdutton.com.<\/span>\n<\/div>\nJean Smith is the country\u2019s in-form sprinter on the track and the Western Cape local has had an interesting start to 2015 but with a major national event coming up he has not battled to find motivation and feels that he is in good shape going into the event<\/p>\n
\u2028\u201cThe start of the year has been a little disjointed for me,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWith that said however I feel that I have some good form at the moment and with a few gold medals from the African Champs in January I am still feeling good about the national champs.\u201d\u2028\u2028The Bellville Cycling Club star is not too phased by the conditions that he will face in Johannesburg although the track is very different to his home track in the Western Cape but he feels that it should suit his strengths.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe altitude should not be a problem for me because I am more involved in the sprint events and not the endurance events but the track is very different with the gradient of the banks being a lot flatter than my home track.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe banks of the track are not as steep which means that standstills are possible which makes the racing a little more interesting which I am looking forward to and hopefully I can achieve what I am setting out to achieve,\u201d he mentioned.<\/p>\n
Another Western Cape rider that is making the trip up north is the impressive Maroesjka Matthee. The current national champion walked away with eight golds and a silver medal in the 2014 nationals and this year she is hoping to go one better with a clean sweep of nine golds.\u2028\u2028\u201cI am hoping that I can get nine golds at the national championships this year,\u201d Matthee said. \u201cIt is going to be tough considering I have had a very busy start to the year and my focus hasn\u2019t only been on track cycling like in previous years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith African Track Champs and then Worlds in the first two months of the year I feel like I should be taking a break soon but my coach has been motivating me and I am still very positive for SA Champs,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n