Three world titles at the Masters Track Cycling World Championships this month made every hour of hard work and every ounce of effort worth it for Gert Fouche.
The 37-year-old, who started his year on a high note when he won the elite men’s 4 000m individual pursuit title at the SA National Track Championships in April, said he marked the pursuit as his main target.
Drawing on his experience from that first world champs, Fouche said he had gained a lot of insight and knew exactly what was needed to emulate and improve on his previous success.
Gert Fouche in the rainbow jersey at the Masters Track Cycling World Championships. Photo: Craig Huffman Photography
Entering the 1 000m time-trial, 3 000m pursuit, scratch and points race, Fouche said his aim was to beat his South African records in the events against the clock.
“I wanted to get a podium in the TT and really wanted to win the pursuit race. Everyone has a chance in the bunch races and I knew if I had a good day I stood a good chance to also do well in the points and scratch races.”
Fouche said there was undoubtedly a target on his back when he lined up in the pursuit, especially after his performance in the time-trial.
In the latter, he lowered his national record of 1:07.095 to 1.06.893 for the bronze medal and the Pretoria resident said he was confident going into his main event, where he targeted another record and the world title.
Fouche achieved his goals when he won the title in a new national record time of 3:22.461. He followed that with his second title of the event in the points race, 20 points clear of Damien Charlot.
He secured his third title and fourth medal when he defended his 2016 title in the scratch race in his final event.
Gert Fouche aimed to break national records at the track at the Masters Track Cycling World Championships. Photo: Craig Huffman Photography
“After winning both the pursuit and points races I knew I had a good chance to do well in the scratch race, but this also put extra pressure on me.
“As expected it was the most difficult race of the week and really hard. I was extremely happy to win it and, with that, three titles.”
Fouche said his accomplishments in the United States were great reward for his efforts and those of his wife, family, friends and coach, Jaco Ferreira.
“You put in so much effort, time and sacrifice so much, you ask yourself if it is worth it, all the hours of training, the focus, and the energy it takes.
“Winning three titles is an unbelievable feeling, it makes it all worth it; it felt unreal. I couldn’t believe what I achieved.”
He said selection for the 2018 Commonwealth Games track team was next on his agenda.
He will look to carry his form through to the qualifying event early next month in the hopes of making the South African team set to travel to Australia in April next year.
