Africa’s elite take to the track

THE African Continental Track Cycling Championships will take place at the Cyril Geoghegan Track in Durban from tomorrow until Thursday this week.

Cycling South Africa president William Newman – who also serves as the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Track Commission president and International Cycling Union (UCI) Track Commission member – spoke about the benefits of hosting an African Continental Championship on home soil.

“After the inaugural event held in 2015 in Pietermaritzburg followed by the 2016 Championships in Casablanca, Morocco, it is crucial that the momentum is maintained.”

With 14 African Nations expected to participate for the prestigious titles on offer, Newman mentioned the significant strides that African Track cycling has made since 2015 with more nations showing an interest in the discipline, and promises a Continental Championship every year going forward.

“A huge milestone was achieved by Egypt when for the very first time ever, they qualified a cyclist for the Olympics on the track in 2016,” he said. “Track cycling is one of the most spectacular disciplines in the sport of cycling. I would like to see it becoming as strong and powerful in Africa as road cycling is.

“We are very grateful for the continued support of the Kwazulu-natal Department of Sport and Recreation, the City of Durban and ethekwini Municipality.”

In addition, UCI World Cycling Centre Africa Director Jean-pierre van Zyl has been hosting a track cycling training camp this month.

The camp focuses specifically on the skills and rules of track cycling. Van Zyl, an Olympian and multiple World Champion on the track, said he was encouraged to see more riders entering the sport.

“We hope to one day grow great champions.”

The championships are open to the elite and junior men and women categories only, representing national teams, UCI registered teams, provincial teams and club teams. – Sport reporter