Swiss air appeared to agree with South African track star Bernette Beyers as she returned to home soil to add two titles to her name at the African Continental Track Championships in Durban last week.
Beyers, who won the sprint and point race, made herself at home at the World Cycle Centre in Aigle, Switzerland while she took part in a training camp.
Bernette Beyers from Team Bestmed-ASG won the sprint and points titles at the African Continental Track Championships in Durban last week. Photo: Supplied
The 24-year-old sprinter made the most of her time in Europe and adopted a scientific rehabilitation and training programme to get herself back in top form after breaking her collarbone at the Glasgow World Cup in November last year.
Riders trained six times a week and Beyers, who is no stranger to hard work, said the camp came as something of a shock.
“We trained very hard and I had to learn to cope with a tired body, pain and aching muscles.
“I trained a lot before going to the centre, but I think the type of training wasn’t necessarily as effective as it could have been.
“I wasn’t doing as many track and road sessions as I should have and I was probably spending more time in the gym than on the bike,” said the Team Bestmed-ASG rider.
“All of this changed as it was clear that my training in the past hadn’t been right.”
Racing throughout Europe gave Beyers an opportunity to put her recent training to the test as well as hone her tactical skills.
“On the track it’s all about quick reactions and split-second decisions. It’s so important to stick to your decisions; if you change your mind, you’ve already lost.
The 24-year-old sprinter said it was all about the learning curve as you had to learn from the mistakes you made in those crucial moments.
She said her immediate plans were to race in South Africa.
“I haven’t thought too much about what’s next, but I do want to improve as a track rider.”
