South African Under-23 road champion Marc Pritzen has been granted the opportunity to ride for an amateur cycling team in Spain, giving him his first experience of racing in Europe.
The 19-year-old, who arrived in Santiago de Compostela on Sunday after LEADout managing director Barry Austin organised the stint for him, will spend two and a half months with team Froiz.
“My racing calendar has changed a bit as my main focus at the moment is on Spain,” said Pritzen, who also leads the current men’s elite standings in the SA Road Cycling Series.
Marc Pritzen has received the opportunity to ride for an amateur cycling team in Spain. Photo: Full Stop Communications
“I haven’t yet raced in European countries so it will definitely be a challenge.
“All I know is that it’s going to be very hard racing here.”
Despite the potential obstacles he might face, Pritzen said he was looking forward to learning from his new teammates and experiencing a different type of racing style.
“I prefer to focus on what is coming next and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
Pritzen’s first race, the Vuelta a Bizkaia, will be taking place this weekend.
Despite winning the national title, the Tour of Good Hope champion said this hadn’t influenced his life much in terms of training or racing.
“If anything it’s a motivation,” said the OfficeGuru rider who grew up in Windhoek, Namibia, but resides in Kempton Park, Gauteng.
“The people around me have been extremely supportive.
“Yes, maybe there are more expectations, but we all start a race wanting to win.
“Before anyone goes across the finish line so much can happen, so applying pressure on yourself isn’t going to change this.”
The Berge & Dale runner-up feels wearing the national jersey has opened doors for him, such as this opportunity to join a Spanish team.
“In saying that, I don’t know what I would have received if it weren’t for the jersey,” he added.
