Local cyclist Timothy Ramadwa from Ramahantsha village in the Sinthumule area finished second in the 160km 100-Miler Classic Gweru to Bulawayo Cycle Challenge in Zimbabwe on 30 April. Participating under the banner of the Vhembe Cycling Club, Ramadwa completed the race with a time of 5:12 and proudly returned with his silver medal.
He said that the race had not been an easy feat as cyclists had participated by invitation only. "It was tough, and I was the only South African who participated in the race. But I think I did a good job. It is one of the greatest honours to get to represent my country at the highest level," he said.
Ramadwa joined the Vhembe Cycling Club in 2015, where his natural talent for cycling was discovered. Ever since then, he has dominated the local cycling scene, clinching various podium places.
Ramadwa is now preparing for the annual Kremetart 175km one-day stage-race, which takes place in Louis Trichardt on 9 September. He also wants to take part in the Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg Road, hosted by the City of Johannesburg, on Sunday, 19 November, at the FNB Stadium.
But how does he prepare for all of this? "Hard work, and then some more hard work," was his simple reply.
Apart from balancing his heavily loaded job at the SAPS's dog unit, he also follows a specially formulated training programme. Besides this, Ramadwa offers life-skills training and sometimes visits schools to give motivational talks. Here he touches on the importance of discipline and encourages pupils to remain focused and not let themselves be distracted from their schoolwork. "It is better to inspire the younger children, to coach and steer their passion in the right direction," he said.
His primary objective is to offer recreational cycling training to interested young people from all around the Vhembe region. Riders also get to compete provincially and nationally, based on their skills. He encourages active mobility within communities that previously had no access to the sport.