Stellenbosch University’s Jacques Lloyd showed great character despite significant challenges in the individual time-trial at the World University Cycling Championships in Braga, Portugal, yesterday.
The 21-year-old is part of a four-person South African team which also includes fellow Matie Max Sullivan and the University of Pretoria’s Jacques Horn and Elmari de Wet.
Lloyd was the highest placed South African, finishing 25th in a time of 38:28, despite having no time-trial setup or equipment.
Stellenbosch University’s Jacques Lloyd finished in 25th place in the individual time-trial, despite not having any necessary equipment, at the World University Cycling Championships in Braga, Portugal, yesterday. Photo: 2018 WUC Cycling organisation
“I only decided to do the time-trial a week before we arrived as we didn’t have any equipment or bikes.
“I [initially] thought even trying to go against guys with full gear would be a waste of time. But then I decided against that. It was another opportunity. We’re here in Portugal and came all this way so we might as well make full use of it,” said Lloyd, who competed against 57 athletes from 15 countries.
He added that he was not really satisfied with his result in the event, which featured three laps of 8.63km. He felt he could have done a lot better.
“I just had no legs, but I still gave it my all and enjoyed the experience riding at such a level. The crowds were amazing on the roads.”
Lloyd, who recently won the green jersey and finished second overall at the University Sport South Africa cycling championships, said his aim was to get a top-10 result.
“I felt like I had the power in my legs to ride myself into that position, but yesterday was just not my day.”
He added that his strategy was to pace it well and keep reserves for the end. He could however not do a proper warm-up as they were in an enclosed area where you could not go onto open roads.
“My warm-up was about 10 minutes just riding up and down the same road. I tried to get my legs going in the first lap, maintain that into the second one and smash the final one.
“I couldn’t even do that, because I just felt horrible. The heat is also something different here, but it’s good to get used to the type of climate and riding that we can expect on Saturday.”
The BCom Accounting student said the time-trial started off quite well and he was fast out of the chute. He kept a good pace up the first climb and almost caught the first competitor who started a minute before him.
“On the downhill he had a big gap on me and because he had a full setup, rolling down caused him to make big time on me but I tried to catch up and do my best.
“I started feeling worse and worse though and the second lap was probably the worst. I struggled to push power and felt like the wind came from every direction.”
The last lap was better than the second one. An Australian rider caught him just before the last climb and it had a positive effect on Lloyd.
“I had someone to chase, so I dug deeper than I thought I could and tried to stay close to him. I remained there for a few seconds, but it could’ve been a lot better.”
Lloyd felt he could have done better, but one did not have control over how one’s body would respond on the day.
“I think it was a very good leg-loosener and just to rev the body up a bit and get it ready for the road race. None the less, I still achieved a top 25, which is probably not too bad. But it always could be better. Jacques and Max also had very good times, coming in 27th and 29th.
“This was a last-minute decision, so there was no preparation or months of planning for it the way we should’ve, but we still went out there all things considered, smashed the time-trial and just tried our best to fly the flag high.”
Lloyd said the moment he enjoyed the most was putting on his SA skinsuit, riding up and down the roads and seeing everyone watching them with astonishment.
“Everyone gave compliments about how beautiful our kit was. That was quite amazing to me. The crowds on the side were super and everyone from Portugal came out and supported.”
The five-day international event also consists of a 126.37km road race on the final day (Saturday).
“My number one preparation key is just rest, rest, rest and hydration. It’s going to hit 40 degrees Celsius, so it will be interesting to see how it will unfold.
“My goal is definitely to get a top 10. I would be stoked with a top five, but I’ll just give it my all and try to race smart and tactically.
“You never know what’s going to happen, so I just keep a cool head and do what I normally do, which is enjoy riding my bicycle and that’s how I got here – by riding it.”
De Wet finished in 11th position in the women’s time-trial after finishing in 28:54. View more results here.
