Six-time Paralympian Ernst van Dyk is more than prepared for the first UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup to be held on South African soil this weekend.
Multiple H5 World Champion and Paralympic medalist, Ernst van Dyk, is feeling ready and composed ahead of the 2015 UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Pietermaritzburg from 11-13 September. Photo credit: Illse du Preez.
Having medalled numerous times in various World Cups around the globe, Van Dyk, 42, said the South African event would be no different for him.
For more news see: 2015 UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup
“Usually we like to use the World Cups as training and a build-up to World Champs,” said the champion H5 hand cyclist.
Van Dyk said his preparations for the World Cup had been less intense than for World Champs.
“We would like to start afresh at the beginning of next year because then it’s the Rio Olympic Games.”
The 10-time Boston Marathon wheelchair champion said there was a massive difference between being a national champion and competing against the world’s best.
“It is important to have exposure to high levels of racing because then participants can gauge their performance and see how far out their times are in comparison to the top riders.”
Van Dyk swaps his hand cycle for a wheelchair once more after the World Cup. He will be competing in the Chicago Marathon in October and the New York Marathon the following month.
