The suspension of events due to the coronavirus could prove a blessing in disguise for Nicholas Dlamini, who only recently received the all-clear to return to riding outdoors.
Nicholas Dlamini, who suffered a broken arm at the end of last year, only recently received the all-clear to return to riding outdoors. Photo: NTT Pro Cycling
The 24-year-old NTT Pro Cycling rider suffered a broken arm during an altercation with rangers at the Table Mountain National Park at the end of last year.
He is now back on his bike and in full training as he looks forward to a return to competitive cycling.
“At the moment I’m in Holland. It’s quite a big thing obviously [here] and everyone is aware of it [coronavirus]. I’ve just been trying not to touch anything as I go about my daily routine and I’ve also been training on my own.
“In Holland at the moment you’re still permitted to train outdoors, but obviously it’s better if you train alone. I also keep a distance when going to the shops and things like that.”
Dlamini said it was a phenomenal feeling to get the go-ahead from medical staff to finally ride outdoors again.
“I’ve trained indoors for 10 weeks. I think that was more than enough! I was really looking forward to getting outdoors and just spending time on my bike, taking in the views and getting some fresh air for a bit.
“I had been waiting for that day for a long time and it finally came. I’m glad to be outside again and getting closer to where I was before.”
Regarding the controversial incident that received worldwide attention, Dlamini said it was really difficult to recover from that and get back into a frame of mind to train with a view to his return to racing.
“It happened at a weird time, sort of really awkward, but obviously I knew that the Olympics were in a few months’ time so my goal was to try and get back and to be good for the Olympics and try and make it for the selection.
“I also had really good support that contributed to my motivation, so I think it’s worked really well.”
Regarding the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics, he said this had given him more time to prepare properly.
“As I’d only had a couple of months to prepare, I wasn’t quite sure or super confident about what I would be like in June, but now that it’s in 2021 I know that I have a lot of time to prepare and get myself in good condition.
“Also, with the coronavirus and with the readjustment of the calendar it plays into my hands as well. So in a way I have a lot of time to prepare and I don’t have to keep playing catch-up.
“So when the racing resumes I’ll pretty much be on the same level as everyone else and also with the Olympics next year I’ll hopefully be in good shape for that too. I look forward to making the selection and hopefully get to represent South Africa there.”
He added that to ride in the Olympics had always been his dream.
“Representing South Africa would be a big achievement for me; to wear the colours with pride and do a good job.”
Regarding his aspirations for the year, Dlamini said he had his eye on a few events.
“I really love Dauphine for some reason. It’s really a nice race and the atmosphere is amazing. I’d really like to do it again this year.
“Obviously I’d love to do a Grand Tour again this year and use everything I learnt in last year’s Grand Tour [Vuelta] in a GT this year and get better results and also basically race as one team.
“The team has been really doing great since the start of the season so we want to keep that going.”
