Westville cyclist puts pedal to the metal

WESTVILLE Boys’ High School’s Warren Moolman is gearing up to represent South Africa at the 2021 UCI World Road Championships in Flanders, Belgium next month.

The matriculant, who has been cycling since he was three years old, said he was elated to be chosen to compete in the event.

“It has been a dream of mine to represent my country one day, so you can just imagine how happy I am to achieve this childhood dream!”

To qualify for the international event, Moolman needed to check a list of boxes and ensured he performed well in the national championships and the other categorised races that took place this year.

He placed fourth in the individual time trial and second in the road race at the national champs in Swellendam. It was in the categorised races that Moolman snapped up a win in the Tshwane Classic and the Joberg Classic and a second place on the podium in the Magalies Sleepy River Classic.

Moolman trains six days a week on the bike and then two days of training off the bike where he focuses on strength training and stretching.

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“My week consists of two hard intensity sessions, one endurance-type ride and then an easy recovery ride on a Friday. I have to be up by 04:00 during the week to get my training done before school starts. I do my longer rides over the weekends which can vary anywhere between three and four hours,” he smiled.

With the event around the corner, he noted that his while training may not have changed much, bar a few minor adjustments to ensure he is at his highest fitness level, he is confident that he will perform to the best of his ability.

“I am looking forward to racing against the best riders in the world in my age category and to see how I stack up against them. More importantly, I am looking forward to giving the best I can possibly give and make everybody in South Africa proud! I want to race aggressively and be competitive throughout the race, all the way to the finish line. My goal will be achieved knowing that I left everything I had out on the course,” said the determined matriculant.

While his eyes are on the podium prize, he noted that Belgium has a rich cycling culture and history and is excited to experience all it has to offer.

“I would also love to meet some of my cycling heroes while at this prestigious event. The cherry on top would be if I could be noticed by any of the international teams, and perhaps make it onto one in the future,” he said.

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Moolman noted that both of his parents are avid cyclists and, both he and his brother, would watch them train and compete in races. “I would accompany my parents to the races and, while they were busy racing, I would just play around on my bike at the start/finish area. When I was a bit older I joined the Westville Cycle Club, which was very influential in making me the cyclist I am today.

He took cycling seriously three years ago when he joined the Steel and Pipes Racing team and noted the group has increased his progress drastivcally and have offered him an immense amount of support.

“I have been fortunate enough to have raced overseas a couple of times already. I competed in Ireland once, as well as at the Junior Tour of Assen in the Netherlands twice. I am looking forward to compete in Europe again, but this time for the World Championships!” he said.

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