Pritzen is blitzing on the saddle

In just a few short years, Pritzen has gone from strength to strength in the sport of cycling, both on and off the road.

His rapid improvement on the saddle has seen him rise from casual cycling to the combative world of elite riding.

For a man whose budding motocross career came to a sad end following a serious injury, it’s terrific to see him excelling in another sport.

City Times sports journalist Logan Green caught up with Pritzen to gain insight into his cycling journey thus far.

LG: You have gradually been improving in the sport of cycling; how did you get into cycling and at what point are you now in your career?

KP: I got into cycling in 2009. I cycled to keep fit for motocross, but nothing serious. In 2009 I decided to take part in my first 94.7 Cycle Race. I rode my dad’s old bicycle with his size 11 cycling shoes (I’m a size nine) and it was after that race that the cycling bug had bitten. In 2013 I cycled the 94.7 for the Apocolypse Cows to raise funds for CHOC. The Apocolypse team helped me to see my potential as a cyclist and they pushed me to take my cycling more seriously. In 2014 I started training hard with my goal set to be an elite rider in 2015. This year I have competed as an elite and I have surprised myself with my results. I have gone from Top 20 to Top 10 to Top Five and recently I claimed a podium (second) in the Sondela Classic.

LG: Where do you see yourself in the not too distant future?

KP: I hope to find myself on the podium a lot more and to win a professional cycling race. I also hope to get a team ride for 2016 which will give me many more opportunities.

LG: You were quite the motocross rider in the past, how did you feel after sustaining the injury that forced your retirement from the sport and how has it influenced you as a cyclist?

KP: I raced motocross for 11 years and in 2007 I moved to Belgium to race for a team there, however, that came to an end after two months after I fell off my BMX and broke my neck. This took me out of racing for over a year. I went back to racing motocross after my year of recovery, but had to disappointingly retire in 2009. Motocross has definitely given me a big advantage in my cycling. It has helped with my fitness, bike skills and it has made me extremely competitive.

LG: You train in the extremely early hours of the morning in order to avoid traffic; run us through a normal morning in your life?

KP: Cycling with the professionals and having a full day job is no easy task. On weekdays my mornings can start from as early as 2.45am. After a quick breakfast I hit the road for an average of a 50 to 100km ride. A quick wipe down and I leave to be at work by 7.30am. On weekends I get to “sleep in a little bit” as I am usually up at 4am and cycle anything from 100 to 180km on a Saturday and Sunday morning.

LG: What events are coming up and what are your goals in those events?

KP: My biggest goal right now is a Top 10 finish in the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge (in November) and the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic (in October). I am also into the mountain biking thing now and have got some new motivation. Hopefully I can get some more podium results there too.

LG: You raced the Sondela Bestmed MTB race recently, you’ve even got mad skills on a mountain bike (MTB). What do you prefer? MTB races or road cycling?

KP: I would not be able to choose. I just love being on two wheels. I really love the speed of road cycling. On some descents we can reach up to a 100km/h, and when it comes to the mountain biking I just really love the technical stuff. I have been off my MTB for a really long time, focusing on my road cycling, but I have always loved it, as it is the closest I can get to motocross. I placed third overall at Sondela and first in my category for the Sondela MTB race.

LG: What is the future of cycling in South Africa?

KP: Mountain biking is the fastest growing sport in South Africa; the turnout at the races is unbelievable and it really makes me happy to see how many people actually cycle. South Africa has a team competing in the Tour de France this year (MTN-Qhubeka), which will definitely showcase and expose South African cycling.

LG: Anyone to thank for helping you in your career so far?

KP: My mountain biking would not be possible without Conraadt van den Heever, from Letsatsi Plant Hire, who has taken me under his wing and given me a huge opportunity at going for my goals of winning mountain bike races. It’s really great that there are people out there who want to help others pursue their dreams.