Track cyclist races in London, Lithuania and Israel
FONTAINEBLEAU – After organising crowdfunding so he could compete in the Tokyo Olympics, Jean Spies has been sponsored by companies to compete.
Olympic track cyclist Jean Spies is currently competing in the UCI Track Championships held in Lithuania, London and Israel over the next few weeks.
The Fontainebleau resident competed in the sprint and keirin events at the Tokyo Olympics but he is still fairly new to competing outside Africa.
Yet, 72 of the best riders in the world compete at the UCI and the championships are broadcast in over 26 countries and have a reach of over 20 million people.
Spies had to organise crowdfunding to attend the Olympics as the government would not support him, and again he has been sponsored by an individual and local companies for the UCI. “I am really grateful to David Swart for all his help and to Toyota South Africa, Excellerate Services and ZukiMxoli#rideuplift for stepping forward to support me,” Jean Spies said emotionally.
“I enjoyed representing the Toyota Academy back in 2008–2011 and I look forward to representing them again, this time on a much bigger platform. I am looking forward to having a clean and safe race and I hope to offer that much more in the racing.”
