For South African national road champion Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, the African Games currently under way in Morocco are about inspiring and motivating her fellow African riders to pursue their dreams.
Moolman Pasio, who will compete in the individual time-trial on Monday and the road race on Wednesday, said it was about being there to interact with the others.
“It’s also to inspire my own teammates to follow their passion and give the absolute best that they can.
“That’s what makes it special to me,” Moolman Pasio told In the Bunch.
The 33-year-old, who won the Emakumeen Nafarroako Klasikoa in Spain recently, said coming to the Games as the strongest rider and leader in women’s cycling in Africa she would have her work cut out for her.
“Everyone will be focusing on me as the one [expected] to win and that can sometimes be a challenge – to be the one everyone looks at and still try to deliver a result.
South African Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (left) looks forward to competing at the African Games currently under way in Morocco. Photo: A.S.O.Thomas Maheux
“I know I’m an ambassador for African cycling and I know a lot of these women look up to me, so I’m looking forward to racing amongst them because there has been much development in the level [of performance in Africa].”
She felt it was also important to have the opportunity to race with the SA team, which did not happen very often.
“The Games will be the first opportunity for us to come together as a SA women’s team and start looking towards preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.”
Moolman Pasio said because previously the world and continental champs were self-funded it had been a long time since they had a complete women’s team racing at international events.
“Therefore, Morocco will be a great opportunity to have a full team and to start looking towards preparation in terms of teamwork as we build up to the Games.”
Moolman Pasio added that the Games were also important in the development of cyclists and young talent.
“It is great experience for a rider like Tiffany [Keep] who has come over to represent her country for the first time in road cycling.
“She’s an ambitious young rider and has some great goals that she’s working towards.”
Keep went on to win the first gold medal for SA in the mountain bike cross-country race earlier this week.
Moolman Pasio said the ITT was very important for her because it was a race she would use as part of her build-up to the TT at Tokyo and the world champs, which were a focus for her.
“The ITT is 30km, so that is a standard distance. It’s actually a long distance for a women’s TT. It’s a great event for me to use as preparation and to see where I’m at and what I need to improve on before world champs.
“Unfortunately the road race is really short [60km], so in comparison to the WorldTour races I’m racing weekly in Europe it’s less than half the distance.”
She added that as an SA team they had clear goals and objectives and wanted to win in Africa.
“There are great points up for grabs for the Olympics, so we’ll definitely do our best to win.”
This is Moolman Pasio’s first time at the Games and she expressed excitement at being able to visit the country and experience the event.
“I’ve wanted to go there for quite some time and now to be able to visit Morocco in conjunction with representing my country and racing my bike, it’s a really special experience and one I’m looking forward to.”
