Eighteen-year-old Eastleigh cyclist Travis Barrett recently placed eighth overall at the Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge.
Barrett completed the 95-kilometre race in 2:14.37 and was the first junior male to cross the finish line.
Barrett took part in the challenge on November 19.
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On November 12 Barrett also won the 25km Telkom 947 Mountain Bike Challenge.
“I still can’t explain how it feels to have achieved a top 10 position in the road race. I exceeded my expectations,” said Barrett.
As he crossed the finish line, he became emotional.
“It was unreal to be surrounded by my cycling heroes.”
At the beginning of the race Barrett’s age group set off with the elite category, which included the winner of the challenge, former Jeppe High School for Boys learner, Daryl Impey.
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Barrett finished a minute and seven seconds after Impey.
“On Cedar Road, the biggest climb of the race, the lead group pulled away. Before they could get too far I chased them and caught up with them,” said Barrett.
While going past Steyn City he had to give it his all again when two elite cyclists pulled away.
“Again I managed to keep up with them,” said Barrett.
Although he often cycles, he only had three months to train for the challenge.
As a matric learner at Reddam House, his year has been a busy one.
“This year I wanted to focus on my school work but once the school lessons stopped I decided to train,” said Barrett.
Leading up to the challenge Barrett trained each day before and after school – in an average week he trains up to 22 hours.
What he enjoys most about road cycling is that it requires more tactics.
“A mountain bike race is all about strength. Road cycling requires more tactical thinking,” said Barrett.
He explained junior cyclists have to earn the respect of professional cyclists.
“If you are young and you attack a group, they often leave you alone as you fade away. Once you gain experience they begin to take you seriously,” said Barrett.
He is extremely proud of his achievement.
Looking to his future, Barrett hopes to compete in the Mpumalanga Tour, a six-day cycling tour.
The January tour will take him on cycles varying from 90 to 198 kilometres a day.
In order to do this, Barrett will have to focus more on his endurance training.
Once he has completed the Mpumalanga Tour, Barrett will compete in the SA National Road Championships.
The championships will be held in Oudtshoorn in February.
“What I would really love is to travel to Europe and make a name for myself overseas. Europe is the cycling hub of the world,” said Barrett.
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