After overcoming body shaming and the threat of never riding a bicycle again, Rynfield cyclist Paul Lewis-Enright has won two national titles.
He will now represent South Africa in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Scotland from August 4 to 7.
This comes after the 55-year-old defended his national masters’ title during the South African National Criterium, Road and Time Trial Championships in Oudtshoorn in February.
Lewis-Enright won the 102km road race to add to the championship he won last year in Graskop.
“I’m filled with gratitude. I woke up and checked my inbox, only to find I’ve been invited to the world championships by UCI to represent my country,” he said.
The national champion is on cloud nine and is thankful for this opportunity. But reaching the pinnacle of the sport came with its ups and downs as a broken leg sustained in a quad bike accident threatened his career.
After being told he will never cycle again, Lewis-Enright’s health deteriorated. He picked up weight and was asthmatic and hyperglycemic.
Depressed and always ill, he decided to change his lifestyle and bought an indoor trainer, managing only five minutes on the trainer due to a lack of fitness.
Through determination and hard work, he took his training outdoors and when his form picked up, he joined a local cycling club. Despite being fat-shamed, it was his commitment and help from his mates that saw him through.
He would go on to win the 127km road race in his first national championships, landing himself his first national title which he successfully defended earlier this year.
“It’s a dream realised after years of hard work. I initially wanted to participate in the nationals. I won it and now I’m preparing for the world champs. I regularly have to pinch myself to ensure it’s not a dream,” said Lewis-Enright.
“Without my family, friends and the local community, this would be just a dream. I’m super excited and humbled at this opportunity.”
The Gran Fondo (big race) is a long-distance mass participation event first run in Italy in 1970. The event invites the top 25% of riders from 27 qualifying events held around the world.
Lewis-Enright will compete in the 160.3km Gran Fondo road race and 22.8km individual time trial.
