Para-cycling dream may be dashed

Gavin Cowden's dream of representing the national team in Europe may be unatainable due to lack of sponsorship.

April 9, 2017

Mireille de Villiers 1 minute read

Local para-cyclist Gavin Cowden has attained his big dream: selection for the national team to represent South Africa in Europe's UCI world cup events next month.

Yet, the elation was tainted by bad news: Para-cycling SA is without a sponsor and Cycling South Africa has informed the team that they have no funds available to help.

Cowden was joined in the selection to compete in Maniago, Italy from 11 to 14 May and Ostend in Belgium from May 18 to 21 selection by well-known names.

The other team members are Goldy Fuchs, Justine Asher, Stuart McCreadie, James van Rensburg, Juan Odendaal and Gysie van der Niet, but their participation in the world cups are at risk.

The world cups are important because UCI points earned there will determine the number of paracycling slots South Africa will be allocated at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo – and the strength of Team SA.

Gavin Cowden was selected after he retained his C5 time-trial title at the SA National Para-cycling Road Champs in Wellington in February.
This year he also won the road race to be crowned double champion.

Read more: Local paracyclist places second at World Cup

https://www.citizen.co.za/lowvelder/332433/local-paracyclist-places-second-at-world-cup/

The call-up to the Protea team was a surprise nonetheless.

“The road race was a bit of a hollow victory,” he added. “I spent a year strategising about how to beat Dane Wilson and then he and James van Rensburg sadly withdrew. So there was no competition.”

However, as it is almost impossible to afford the participation on his own steam, help is needed. “I have plenty of space on my two SA Champs jerseys for sponsors, should anyone be interested,” he said with a big smile.

Enquiries: Gavin Cowden on 071-541-7783.