Kyle Swanepoel is sticking to an arduous indoor training programme as he prepares for the UCI Junior Track World Championships in Cairo, Egypt, later this year.
Kyle Swanepoel is a member of the seven-man team that will represent SA at the Junior Track World Champs in Cairo, Egypt. Photo: Owen Lloyd
The 17-year-old is a member of the seven-man team that will represent South Africa at the event from August 16 to 21. The other riders are Alexander Craddock, James Swart, Dillon Geary, Jonty Bouwer, Chanton Perrins and Dian Janjetich.
“Being selected for the world championships feels great. It’s a dream come true,” said Swanepoel, who took part in the individual pursuit and set a South African record in the team pursuit at last year’s event in Frankfurt, Germany.
“My aim is to be the best I can possibly be and to achieve this I follow a strict training programme. I believe that with the level of training that goes into it I will be able to perform well.”
Swanepoel, who races for Team Enza on the domestic circuit, is penned in to compete in the individual and team pursuits as well as the omnium in Cairo.
“Doing well, specifically in the omnium, will be a big reward and encouragement towards future goals and personal achievements,” said the Johannesburg resident, who was looking forward to racing against the strongest juniors in the world.
Although the coronavirus lockdown impacted their training, Swanepoel said indoor riding had raised the bar for him.
“Sustaining a 20-hour training week on an indoor trainer is much harder as you are deprived of many of the joys of outdoor riding. I believe it is an intense workout as it requires sustained power, without stopping, which makes outdoor riding easier.
“I take comfort in the safety of the indoor environment and enjoy the technology that enables me to join group rides around the world at any time,” said Swanepoel, who believed the intense indoor training would instil a renewed appreciation for outdoor riding among his peers.
While indoor training helped him stay fit, he said it was tough staying motivated during these uncertain times.
“It’s challenging to maintain the required level of motivation if you don’t know if the scheduled events will continue or be cancelled. I try to motivate myself by focusing on small achievements.”
