For Travis Barrett, representing SA at next month’s African Continental Road Championships will be a “great privilege”. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
For Travis Barrett, pulling on the national kit and representing South Africa at next month’s African Continental Road Championships will be a “great privilege”.
He was earlier this week named in the SA team for the continental champs to be held in Egypt from March 2 to 6.
Speaking to In the Bunch shortly after the team announcement, the 21-year-old said, “I’m very excited and grateful for this opportunity.
“It’s a great privilege to be able to race in the national kit and to represent South Africa.”
With three weeks to go, Barrett’s training is on track.
“My training is going well and all is on track for not only the continental championships, but the SA national champs as well.”
The SA National Road Championships is scheduled for March 18 to 21 in Swellendam in the Western Cape.
Barrett will be competing in the joint elite/U23 road race in Egypt and is still awaiting news as to whether he will called upon for the individual time-trial.
He was named in last year’s SA team for the African champs in Mauritius which were ultimately cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The trip to Cairo will be a step into the unknown for the reigning Cape Town Cycle Tour champion.
“I have never raced up in Africa so I’m not too sure as to the level of racing and how it may differ in style to here in South Africa,” Barrett admitted.
“So it’s difficult to set any concrete goals for myself other than to achieve the best result possible on the day and maybe score some UCI points along the way,” Barrett said when asked as to his goals for the championships.
