This is South African Morne van Niekerk’s third season in Europe and during that time he has learnt some vital lessons, growing both personally and as a rider.
The 24-year-old, who last month signed to extend his contract with French-based UCI continental team Michel-Auber93 by another year, is currently based in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France.
During his time cycling both locally and internationally he has experienced numerous high points.
“My first European experience with Tannie Jill and Oom Frank [Bezuidenhout] is one of them. Also, my time with Team Abantu where I learnt so much from incredible people.
“A good year in total was 2018. Signing pro in France: I’m proud of that, as well as fighting through the French amateur ranks as a South African.
“Another highlight was winning the climber’s jersey in my ‘home’ tour with Team St Michel Auber93 in my first pro season.
“And 2020 started well at Etoile de Besseges, which was a goal for me. I worked hard in November, December and January. I was very happy to see the progress I’ve made.”
Van Niekerk felt he had definitely calmed down over the years.
“With a lot of work and help I’ve been able to take a moment, assess and make a better long-term decision.
“When I was younger I reacted a lot quicker, which cost me dearly sometimes.
“I have learnt though to live in the moment – good or bad, it will pass.”
Regarding how racing in SA and overseas differs, Van Niekerk said races in Europe were longer.
“And here you have a lot more riders on the start, more guys who can win the race, which then lifts the intensity a lot.”
He has encountered challenges throughout his career that he has had to overcome.
“I’ve had some untimely injuries and health issues.
“Mostly political obstacles too; that’s a big reason I made the move to come to Europe. The best way to overcome any setback is to take a moment to analyse, decide what you want to do and commit yourself 100 per cent to your goal.”
Since going international there have been certain things he has missed about his home.
“Biltong and beskuit. It’s hard leaving your home country. You miss the familiarity, family and friends.
“I wouldn’t say there are things that I don’t miss, but one big bonus/relief is the training aspect here. I’m a lot less stressed about cars and there are no risks of hijackings. That gets to me when I’m in SA.”
Van Niekerk was a first-year junior (aged 16/17) when he decided that he really wanted to pursue cycling as a career.
“My dad was a high-level cyclist in his day. He never told me to take up the sport. It came unexpectedly. First one or two rides a week, then every day and then I started racing.
“I remember watching the Tour de France with my dad when I was very young. I was/am a big Jan Ullrich fan, because he had red hair and freckles, like me.
“But I didn’t understand how it worked until 2010. That’s where the passion and riding started. Forward a couple of months and I started racing.”
Van Niekerk said now with racing being cancelled due to the coronavirus he had taken time to work on some weak points or underdeveloped areas that were difficult to work on during a full-on race season.
“We’ve gone into full quarantine now. Before we could still ride outside, but now I’ve joined the ‘indoor club’.”
Advice he has for those who look up to him and also want to achieve internationally is to not hesitate but just take the risk and do it.
“I’m happy when I see youngsters like Jason Oosthuizen here in France and Byron Munton in Spain. It takes guts and a lot of sacrifices.
“It’s hard as an ‘outsider’ in the amateur ranks. You live on a minimum and you have to really dig deep on a daily basis.
“But when the breakthrough comes, it’s unbelievably satisfying.”
