South African track champion Steven van Heerden is expecting to gain valuable racing experience and UCI points at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, or T-Town, in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, USA.
The 25-year-old, who defended his omnium title at the national track champs in April, is staying in Kutztown with fellow South Africans Josh van Wyk, Jean Spies, Danielle van Niekerk, Victoria Bester and Claudia Gnudi.
“I love it here and I love the fact that people from all over the world come here to race,” he said, after arriving in the country on May 26.
Steven van Heerden won the elite men’s omnium at the SA National Track Championships at the Bellville Velodrome this year. Photo: Owen Lloyd
Van Heerden, who placed sixth in the first omnium race last Friday, said there were five weeks of UCI races each Friday where valuable points were up for grabs. He would also compete in criterium races.
“We’ll be racing on at least 15 days with about four events a day, so it’s a lot of experience. The racing is also fast with a lot of other strong international riders, so it will be good.
“This high level is what I’m looking forward to the most.”
The Tour Durban champion, who was runner-up in the omnium race at the African Continental Track Champs at the beginning of the year, felt the amount of racing and speed would help him back home.
“It will also help with my spring and strength during those hard moments when you just have to go two watts more.”
This is Van Heerden’s third year at T-Town and he said he felt better prepared than ever before.
“My first time was in 2016 and we got our heads kicked in a bit, but I learnt what it’s all about.
“We came back in 2018, but this year I feel I’m more prepared for the fast racing.”
When he heads back to SA on July 2 he will focus on some local road classics and intends competing in a Track Grand Prix in Europe at the end of the year.
“This is all dependent on what form I come back to the country with. I’ve got a few different scenarios but need to reassess when I’m back.”
