“Take what you have and do your best, no matter what the situation is.”
That is just part of the philosophy cycling has taught South African prodigy Damon Fouchee.
Damon Fouchee says cycling has shaped who he is today. Photo: 2ruedas
The young cyclist, who recently turned 19, has been cycling for five years and says the sport has made him the person he is today.
“I’m still young and have a lot to learn.
“So far cycling has given me the ability to use my failures and to transform them into motivation and create even bigger goals to achieve in the future.
“Each time I fail my goals only get bigger and bigger.”
Fouchee recently joined the Gsport Team and is currently living in Spain, which has recently restricted people to their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He says when it comes to his career, cycling has shown him how to deal with the highs and lows that come with the sport and life generally.
“Cycling showed me what a roller-coaster your career and life can be as almost nothing in a race or life will go as planned, with a lot of disappointments along the way.
“In the present time cycling is still teaching me new things every day.
“One of the biggest things cycling can teach a person is how to control your emotions, which can be one of the hardest things in life.”
Fouchee has been cycling since he was 14 years old and his interest in the sport is something his family greatly encourages.
“My uncle was a cyclist when he was younger and started to do mountain biking that year. My grandfather then bought me a mountain bike to encourage me to start cycling with my uncle.
“I always looked up to my dad and uncle who were both great cyclists when they were younger and when I started cycling I wanted to be like them.
“That’s where the passion and dedication started.”
According to Fouchee, cycling has helped him develop both physically and mentally as well as how to handle the successes and failures that come with the sport.
“In my young cycling career I’ve had disappointments from not only failures, but doubts and criticism from people who don’t believe in me.
“All a person can do is try to be the better person and ignore the doubts and criticism you receive from others. But sometimes these criticism can be the biggest motivation a person can receive.
“The secret is that it’s actually the fuel in your tank which will carry you towards success.”
When looking back to when he started his cycling journey, Fouchee says that for him the best part is seeing how he has developed.
“What makes it so exciting is to know that I’m still young and still have a lot to learn and develop. I’m looking towards these life lessons that lie ahead and will enjoy each moment of chasing my dream.
“My ultimate dream is to develop myself into a top GC contender on the international level; to be able to compete for the top positions in a grand tour.”
