Former rugby star Joel Stransky will partner with cycling legend Andrew Mclean in the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek mountain bike race that takes place outside Port Elizabeth from June 3 to 5.

Former Springbok rugby player Joel Stransky (left) will partner with cycling great Andrew Mclean at the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek mountain bike race outside Port Elizabeth from June 3 to 5. Photo: Supplied
The winner of the 1995 World Cup said he had become addicted to cycling after racing the Cape Epic for charity.
“I am looking forward to my debut in this exciting three-stage event,” he said.
Stransky said he had only heard good things about the Zuurberg event, which traverses the Addo Elephant National Park and Sundays River Valley.
Mclean, a four-time Giro del Capo winner, has taken part in the Zuurberg Trek twice.
“We are looking forward to the whole experience,” he said. “But when we get on the bikes we will be racing as hard as we can.”
“I’m over 50 but Joel is 48, so we will ride in the 40 age-group.
“We have been training hard and Joel says he’s probably fitter now than he was for the 1995 World Cup.”
Stransky said he has plenty of respect for Mclean’s ability. “Andrew is a quiet guy, but a brilliant cyclist.
“I’m also quite quiet so when we ride hard or race, there isn’t a lot of chitchat – only suffering.”
Stransky, who started cycling competitively around seven years ago, said that rugby is easier.
“It is only 80 minutes and there is less suffering,” he joked.
Visit www.greatzuurbergtrek.co.za.