CAPE TOWN – A young cyclist from Ocean View is looking forward to pedaling her way to more silverware after achieving her South African colours.
Kendall Olivier (12) claimed two gold medals and a bronze at the South African Championships held in Oudtshoorn during the September school holidays, earning her SA colours in a breakthrough performance.
She’s also a member of the Fresh Start Cycling Club.
The club was founded by Sageda de Klerk and her husband, Abduraghiem, 11 years ago in the hope of developing local talent.
“We take the cyclists to racing events. This is the first time we had a SA Champion.
“At present we have 35 children cycling for us and all on bicycles that belong to the club. We do get funding from Rawson Properties which enables us to fix bikes and take them to cycling events. At present we have four adults who help us coach the children and because we are in an underprivileged area we feed them before and after training as well,” elaborates De Klerk.
The cyclists explore Scarborough, Simon’s Town Red Hill, Fish Hoek and Chappies.
Olivier recalls seeing her fellow clubmates practising the day she fell in love with the sport.
“I saw the Fresh Start cyclists cycling one day and I instantly felt like trying and I haven’t looked back. The coaches first recognised my potential,” she explains.
Olivier was 11 years old when she started racing competitively.
She describes her first race as quite challenging and gruelling.
“My first race was quite hard, I never thought I would reach this level but I knew I would go far if I kept on trying,” she shares.
A typical training session involves fun and scenic rides with her clubmates, she adds.
“I spend two hours on my bike. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the times when we ride hard. The training schedule goes well with having time for school work.”
Olivier says she was overjoyed when she heard she won her SA colours. “I’m so happy I got my SA colours and it’s my first time getting two gold medals,” she explains.
Oliver marks out Ou Kaapse Weg and Suikerbossie as crucial cycling trials that aided her success.
Among the challenges she faces as a cyclist she sa: “my mental state, you must remain focused at all times. Last year in Oudtshoorn I fell off my bike but got up and finished my race. I love the pressure to compete at high levels. It just brings out my best.”
She is currently racing on a club bike. “If I could acquire my own bike that is compatible to the bicycles my opponents use then I can pursue an elite cycling career.”
She says the love of her family and friends are key ingredients in keeping her motivated.
“The support I get from my coaches, teammates and my mom before a race boosts my confidence so that I can complete any race. You have to push yourself to your limits and never look back.”
Olivier is looking forward to competing at the Western Province cycling championships being held in January next year.
- For more information email Sageda de Klerk at sagedek@gmail.com.
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