Teen cyclist has a bright future
WHAT started out as fun bike rides with her father in the open fields of Parys in the Free State are paying off for Azulde Britz, 17.
The Grade 12 Cornwall Hill College pupil has been named an ambassador for Positive Sports Solutions, and told Independent Media she was looking forward to the challenge.
The teenage cyclist has been a leading rider in the Gauteng Schools Spur series for the past five years, and was the women’s captain in the province last year.
Her earliest cycling memories are of riding in muddy races with her father, but Britz has become a star. “I started riding with my dad and some of his friends just for fun.
“I actually begged him after that to do a couple of races. It was the innocence of going out with family and friends, meeting new people and hearing their views, and a drive for the sport that ignited this passion for cycling.”
She said that after horse riding for a while, she started taking cycling seriously when she was in Grade 5.
Britz said she loved mountain biking, and the exciting part was the different obstacles on the routes, such as rock gardens, drop-offs and gap jumps.
“The whole vibe is kind of interesting; the most exciting thing about road racing is the speed and the different tactics within the teams. It is not all about riding and who is the fastest.”
She said she had approached Positive Sports Solutions.
“I would like not just to associate myself with them, but also to try to help their brand grow. In return, I get to test their amazing products and market them.”
Positive Sports Solutions distributes bikes, bike carriers, wheels and bike components.
Britz said her goals for this year were to race internationally and to represent the country in the world championships in Austria next month. When she had finished matric, she planned to study psychology at the University of Pretoria.
During the holidays, she wants to ride in Europe as a guest rider on various teams.
“In the long term, I would like to cycle for a professional women’s team and be a regular rider on the international scene.”
I would like to cycle for a pro women’s team