Ryan Harris is fully fit after breaking his collarbone and ready to represent South Africa at the Grand Prix Priessnitz Spa in the Czech Republic at the end of the month.
The 20-year-old was involved in a sprint crash at the Bestmed Berge en Dale earlier this year and the injury, as well as a few other crashes, put him out of contention for a while.
“I had a decent year with quite a lot of podiums before the injury, but I’m now coming back stronger and looking for that win soon,” he said.
Harris forms part of a five-man team (the others are Gustav Basson, Mitchell Eliot, Devin Shortt and Andrew Edwards) that will compete in the international race, which consists of a prologue on May 31 followed by three stages.
Ryan Harris has been selected to represent South Africa at the Grand Prix Priessnitz Spa in the Czech Republic at the end of the month. Photo: Megan Barrett
The Office Guru U23 rider said he was very excited when he heard he had been selected.
“It’s always a great feeling when you get selected to race in South African colours with a good bunch of mates.”
He said he felt most excited to experience racing in Europe, but was also a bit nervous. “It’s not really an easy course for a sprinter.”
Harris said they would either have a team objective or hopefully achieve some individual placings in a stage or two.
“Either way, we will work to help our strong general classification riders like Gustav and Andrew.”
Edwards, who won the Tour de Limpopo queen stage recently, echoed Harris’s statement, saying he was very happy to be selected and to represent his country in the UCI U23 Nations’ Cup.
“It will be my first time racing overseas, so I’m most excited and most nervous about that.”
The 19-year-old said the Tour de Limpopo was a big confidence booster and had opened up a lot of opportunities for him.
Harris and Edwards will leave for Spain and Belgium respectively following the Czech Republic race.
“I will head straight to Spain to join Grupo Eulen for three months before heading back to SA to focus on the classics, such as the Amashova Durban Classic,” said Harris.
Edwards, who rides for AC/DC Luso, will also race internationally for three months before heading home to compete in one-day road races.
“My main goal for the year is to win a couple of races and maybe be a GC rider for a tour if I’m in good enough form,” Edwards said.
He added that his overall objective would be to make a World Tour team and race overseas.
“It’s a big goal and I think it’s what every cyclist has been training for their whole lives.”
Harris agreed and said he would love to take his racing up a level.
“I’d do this by hopefully getting into a continental or pro continental team in the near future and then after that hopefully a World Tour team.”
