Cyclingnews chatted to Neil MacDonald six months after he announced his retirement from the pro circuit to find out what his future still holds in store.
Q: Where did it all start for you?
A: I was introduced to cycling when I was in matric at Northcliff High through some good mates who had started cycling at a much younger age. Like everyone else, I watched the Tour De France on the telly and it looked so easy. Little did I know that it was one of the hardest sports in the world.
Q: You said you hadn’t gone to the Nedbank sani2c with the intention of announcing your retirement. Why did you come to the decision at that moment?
A: It was always my intention to retire at the end of the year but there were a number of factors that pushed me to quit earlier. I woke up on the Saturday morning (the last stage) and I knew in my heart that it was the right thing to do.
Q: Was the world’s biggest mountain bike race a fitting way to finish off your career?
A: I had some of my best moments as a mountain biker rolling onto the beach at Scottburgh. On reflection, it would have been great to finish with a win or even racing at a competitive level. Nonetheless, I am very satisfied with what I have achieved in my 15-year career.
Q: What does Neil MacDonald’s daily routine look like right now?
A: 5.45am – Wake up and get the coffee (my wife and I take turns).
7am – School run to drop off KT. 7.30am – 5km run around the block with the Mrs. After that the work begins. I’m currently splitting my time between financial planning and getting the new business up and running. 7pm – A wee nip of the dram as my Dad would say (that’s a whiskey to the Scots!)
Q: Are you tempted to do a long daily training ride?
A: At the moment I have absolutely no temptation especially with the cold weather. I am enjoying my short mountain bike rides on the weekends with mates.
Q: What do you do with all that excess energy?
A: That’s a personal question that I’d rather not answer 😉
Q: You’re very much a family man. Is it refreshing to find that you actually have weekends with your wife and daughter like a regular Joe?
A: To be totally honest, I am in a great space at the moment. As a professional cyclist, very little thought goes to the loved ones that are left behind. I will always be grateful to my Mrs for allowing me to follow my passion for so long. Now it’s time for me to spend more time at home and my wife can stop referring to herself as the cycling widow.
Q: Apart from your well documented cycling career, you’re actually a financial planner by profession.
A: Yes, I have been in the industry for just over three years now, following in my father’s footsteps. I am currently working at Bulls Eye Financial Consultants in Bryanston.
Q: Tell us about your new cycling ventures.
A: We, as in Tony Harding and I, have registered our company called Strategic Cycling (PTY) Ltd with our primary focus being development at a grassroots level. I feel that achievements in cycling should be recognised at school level and proper skills need to be cultivated at a younger age. We have developed an initiative called KIDZ ON BIKES (www.kidz-on-bikes.co.za) to fill this gap. The programme will soon be included in the majority of schools as an extracurricular activity. We have been given the go-ahead to roll out our programme to Trinity Little Falls as well as Margon private schools. As part of the programme, we will be donating funds to Qhubeka for each child that joins. There are also a number of other exciting opportunities – including potential professional mountain bike and road teams, mountain bike parks and events. So you will need to watch this space!
Q: We heard something about developing a resort with mountain bike trails. Tell us a bit about that.
A: That is a project that I have been working on for the past two years and something that I am really excited about. The park is located in the heart of Little Falls and the potential to create something world class on a cross-country level is endless. It is also our intention to use the park to develop the Bike Rangers (Level 5 of the KIDZ ON BIKES programme) by hosting interschool events.
Q: Do you feel you still have a lot left to offer the sport?
A: Cycling has played a huge role in my life and I would love to give something back to the sport that has given me so much. I still believe that I have a huge amount to offer and as mentioned will be focusing my efforts on development.
Q: Who were your cycling mentors?
A: I had a number of mentors in my career including Robbie Hunter, Tony Harding, Nic White and Malcolm Lange. Tony gave me the opportunity to ride as a professional back in 1997 alongside Robbie Hunter. Tony was the national team manager for many years and, as I represented South Africa 14 times, it gave me the opportunity to work with him. I feel that Tony was one of the best national team managers. Rob and I became great friends and spent most Decembers doing our base training together. I spent the majority of my road career racing alongside Nic and as a domestique for Malcolm, both of whom provided significant guidance and support. My sponsors have also played a big role and I’d just like to thank FedGroup – and in particular Scott Field – for their support towards the end of my career.
Q: What’s your favourite cycling memory?
A: Gee, there have been so many. I was not a rider who won many races but, when I did, I used to savour those victories. I won a tour in Hong Kong when I was 21 with the likes of Nic White, Malcolm Lange and Jock Green all working for me and that was an excellent memory, especially the after party, which ended on New Years.
Q: What would you say were your top three achievements on the road?
A: Winning the Tour of South China Seas, the Amashova Classic twice and three stage wins at the Tour de Qinghai Lake.
Q: And on the mountain bike?
A: Winning the Old Mutual joBerg2c twice, finishing second overall twice at sani2c and winning the last stage. Also, the overall win at Ride the Rock and a stage win at Wines2Whales. It was great to stand on the podium at the Cape Epic for third overall in the African jersey.
Q: Any regrets about competitive goals that were left undone?
A: I think my one regret was not to have given it a proper bash in Europe on the road but that’s life.
Q: Any thoughts on the future of SA road and mountain bike racing?
A: I think the future is looking bright. There are some great opportunities for younger riders to race in Europe on teams like MTN-Qhubeka, which just goes to show that South Africans can achieve on the big stage. As far as mountain biking is concerned, I think the gap between South African riders and the Europeans is gradually decreasing. South Africa has some of the best events in the world and riders are spoiled for choice; there is no reason why we can’t have more riders like the late Burry Stander.
Q: You’ve always said that your integrity and reputation were paramount in your professional career, while some of your peers have been caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar. Do you have any thoughts on how their actions might have influenced your career?
A: I believe that the increased policing by SAIDS helped to even the playing field, which in turn gave me the opportunity to achieve some great results on the mountain bike.
Q: Daryl Impey’s positive was a huge shock for everyone. These days, do you think this is the exception rather than the rule?
A: I was as shocked as everyone else. I have ridden with Daryl on many teams and he was the last person/rider that I would have ever expected to test positive. It seems completely out of character for him. I believe that the new generation is making every effort to try and clean up the image of the sport. Obviously the stakes in Europe are much higher and when riders are competing against the best in the world there will always be temptation. (Impey has since been cleared of any wrongdoing. – Ed)
Q: Will we see you on a start line as a vet in the near future?
A: Right now there is no chance but as we all know things change!
