Time turned out to be Cherise Willeit’s friend when she collected her fifth Cape Town Cycle Tour title exactly a week before the coronavirus outbreak was declared a national disaster on March 15.
Cherise Willeit has experienced a whirlwind of emotions since winning the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Photo: Supplied. Photo: Cycle Nation
However, going from the highs of winning South Africa’s most prestigious road classic in the nick of time to the lows of a decimated season, has seen the 30-year-old’s motivation plunge.
“I think we were lucky with the timing. If it was one week later, it would’ve been a whole different scenario.
“It was definitely challenging going from the Cycle Tour high back to almost nothing and it’s been such a whirlwind since then.”
Willeit was planning to take her form into the Cape Epic alongside Saint Cycling teammate Nicky Giliomee.
“I almost felt a sense of loss when the Epic was cancelled. I was depressed afterwards and it took me a good while to come to terms with it.
“So much goes into preparing for it – not just training-wise, but logistically too.”
She and her family, who live in Holzkirchen south of Munich, were booked on a flight to Germany after the Epic, but then lockdown hit.
“We were very unsure as to what the future was going to hold and when we’d be able to go home, so it was tough. Luckily, we got a repatriation flight and could head back.”
The multiple national road and time-trial champion, who rides in the colours of Customized Cycling on the road, added that it took some time to ponder her future goals.
“It was important for me to recoup, refresh and get back my love for the sport. I needed to feel that passion and fire again.”
Since arriving home she has kept herself busy by enjoying fun rides and using the Zwift platform.
“A virtual team time-trial series started and Carla Oberholzer asked me to join the group, which consist of a bunch of superb and really strong women. It’s empowering to see the effort they put in.
“I’ve felt so motivated, mentally and emotionally, to know that every week I have this race coming up.”
Willeit said she had a ticket reserved to South Africa for October and planned to compete in some of the summer races, including the 947 Ride Joburg.
“I think when we return to racing we’re going to see level 2.0 of women’s cycling and I feel it’s just going to improve so much. It will be fast and furious.
“Until then, I advise everyone to take it day by day, especially during uncertain times such as these.
“My life has very much evolved around worrying about the future, but at the end of the day it has a way of working itself out.”
