Local cyclist proves himself at Commonwealth Games
A crash almost made him stop cycling.
When pro-cyclist Steven van Heerden was hit by a car while cycling about three years ago, he didn’t think he’d ever get on a bike again.
Although he only had minor injuries, this 25-year-old from Glen Marais decided that enough was enough.
However, his love for the sport got the better of him. Two months later he was cycling again and has never looked back.
Earlier this month he represented South Africa at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast of Australia. There he cycled a record time of 4:32 for South Africa, making his home town proud by finishing 19th overall in the men’s 4 000m individual pursuit race. He also placed the highest of the South Africans, finishing 18th overall in the men’s 40km points final.
Preparing for the world stage was not a bike ride in the park.
“It took hard work,” he tells Express. “Two weeks before participating in the Cape Town Cycle Tour, we went to Cape Town to practise on the track and stayed two weeks longer to continue practising.”
This track is the only indoor cycling track in South Africa. When Van Heerden is back home, he practises on the road or on an outdoor track in Pretoria and Johannesburg. This he does every day of the week except Mondays, when he rests.
This dedicated cyclist also has a day job as a draughtsman, designing power boxes. He has a diploma in mechanical drafting from Damelin College.
Van Heerden, a former Oos-Rand Akademie primary school learner, remembers when he got into cycling like it was yesterday.
“My mom and I started spinning at a bike shop at Festival Mall when I was about 13. Later I got a mountain bike and then a road bike because I enjoyed it so much.”
Four years after taking cycling more seriously, Van Heerden was named the u-17 SA road champion, after which he shifted his focus to track cycling.
He appears laid-back in a grey armchair as he tells Express why he loves cycling. He wears a grey golf shirt with the local team he rides for, BCX’s, lettering on it.
“It’s a fun sport and it’s hard. There’s something about getting out there every day on your bike that’s nice. I really enjoy it.”
Despite his many achievements, he is humble. He gives credit to his teammates and thanks the many sponsors and Sascoc for his cycling opportunities.
“[Attending the Commonwealth Games] was so much fun. They treated us like VIPs there, and there was such a buzz when we returned home.”
The athletes were welcomed at OR Tambo International Airport last week Sunday, where sporting officials and community members spoke to them and sang the national anthem.
“The spirit was just amazing,” Van Heerden adds.
Attending the games and breaking the SA record was a milestone in his career.
However, it certainly won’t be the last. Next up is an international tour in Limpopo. Six weeks after his return, Van Heerden will exchange the roads of Gauteng for the tracks in Pennsylvania, USA, where he’ll be competing for three months.
And to think he almost never got on a bicycle ever again.
