NMMU cyclist Bradley Gouveris wants to build on his Daily Dispatch Cycle Tour victory in East London this month as he looks ahead to next year.
The Port Elizabeth matriculant made a move on the final climb to pull clear of the field in the closing stretch of the 102km classic.
It was the first major win of the 18-year-old’s young career, but something he had targeted from the start of the year.
“It was one of three races I’d identified to do well in this year,” said Gouveris, who admitted he wasn’t sure what he was in for on the day.
“But everything went right for me, so I’m happy to have pulled it off.”
Despite still being at school, Gouveris has excelled for NMMU’s Bestmed-Shukuma-Madibaz Cycling Club and says the experience has improved his cycling.
Bradley Gouveris, racing for NMMU’s Bestmed-Shukuma-Madibaz Cycling Club, took the first major victory of his fledgling career at the Daily Dispatch Cycle Tour in East London. Photo: Supplied
“They’ve given me loads of support and this has really helped, so I’m definitely staying with them for 2017.”
Gouveris has a strong cycling background. His brother Kellan represented South Africa on the track at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow two years ago and he said his father, also a cyclist, had encouraged them to ride from a young age.
“Watching my brother perform so well has inspired me. I look up to him as a hero and he’s one of my biggest motivations.”
Even though the season has hardly finished, he is already focusing on a number of big events next year.
“I’d like to do well in the national road champs and, if possible, at the SA track champs.”
He also has his sights on riding the Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Knysna Cycle Tour, while looking to hopefully end his year with the 947 Cycle Challenge.
“But, for now, I’m focusing on the next few months. You never know if your form will desert you during the year, so I don’t want to look too far ahead.”
