Teenage South African cyclist Damon Fouchee is learning to adapt to life in a new country after he started training with the Gsport Team in Valencia.
South African cyclist Damon Fouchee recently started training with the Gsport Team in Valencia. Photo: Supplied
He has been living in Spain for almost three weeks.
Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic prevented him from riding in his first international races at the weekend.
“I have only been in Spain for two-and-a-half weeks now,” Fouchee told In the Bunch.
“I haven’t done any races yet as the team wanted to give me time to adapt due to my young age and inexperience in racing on this side.”
Fouchee, who recently turned 19, entered the U23 category for the first time this year.
“It is still a nervous situation for me. I haven’t raced in the under 23 category in Europe before.
“I know it will take time for me to adapt to racing and bunch riding here.
“The biggest difference so far between racing in Europe and racing in South Africa is the bunch riding in the races.”
He would have raced in his first international races over the weekend. However, due to the outbreak of the coronavirus they were subsequently cancelled.
“At least I was privileged enough to do a training camp with the team last week.
“It not only gave me the opportunity to meet all the riders in the team, but also to measure myself with my teammates who I will be spending the rest of the season with.”
Unfortunately the young Gsport Team rider, as well as most people in Spain, are banned from leaving their homes in order to contain the outbreak of COVID-19.
“The training was all still going quite well until this past weekend. For the next two weeks we are only allowed to train on the indoor trainer in our homes.”
When thinking back to his home in South Africa, Fouchee says that besides missing his family and friends he really misses traditional braais.
“Above that is the culture, as it would differ a lot on this side.
“On the other hand, it’s a lot easier to train on the roads. The crime is on a lower scale and the roads are quieter and safer to train on.”
