Local cyclist, Ryan Terry, makes waves on the international circuit

Renowned local cyclist, Ryan Terry (18) returned from a cycling tour of Belgium on August 9, along with four other racers from the Johannesburg-based Pro Touch Sports cycling team. The team arrived in Belgium and the gruelling schedule resumed on July 12 in Izegen, Oostnieuwkerke, Wachtebeke, Merchte, Zottegem and Deinze.

Ryan completed five races on the tour, after crashing out in the last one.

“I broke my frame in half, pulled ligaments in my foot and was on crutches for 10 days.” It was not all doom and gloom for the avid cyclist, however, as this tour marked his teammate and his selection to the u/23 category and the pair acquitted themselves well, considering they were competing against older, more experienced cyclists.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Wildebeest helps injured opponent

“It was a big jump from u/18 to u/23. The pace was faster and harder, but I managed to adapt. This is where my experience at the Norway World Championships in 2017 and the SA Tour as well as last year’s Africa Champs in Rwanda, came into play.”

Juggling school and his career as a professional cyclist was a full-time job, but Ryan managed quite the balancing act with a measure of discipline.

“I started riding a mountain bike after a friend’s dad got me into cycling and the bug truly bit once I immersed myself in the sport. I realised that I enjoyed riding on the road more and started focusing on pro-cycling about two years ago.”

At a World Champs selection camp held in Durban in 2017, Ryan faced his most stringent test in the sport.

ALSO READ: SAPS chase injures suspect

“On the first day, my mechanical bike broke. The course was 140 kilometres long and on the second day, about 30 kilometres into the stage, I led the pack. I ended up winning by about eight minutes.”

He views this experience as one from which he took the lesson that there is always a glimmer of hope at the end of a dark tunnel.

When asked how African and European racing compared, he said, “For example, at the World Champs in Norway, there were about 170 racers from each country whereas at the Africa Champs, there were fewer riders.”

ALSO READ: SAPS chase injures suspect

According to Ryan, the highlight of the Belgian tour was receiving the news that he had been selected to the continental team. This would be his last race from the development team to a professional one. Training is very intense, with the teen spending about 15 hours per week on his bike.

“The training varies from coach to coach and is goal based. I also do strength training everyday, with a massage thrown in once a week to help the muscles recover.”

Ryan’s advice to the youth is simple: “Take every opportunity to prove yourself. Because competition is fierce in cycling, a lot of hard work is needed to achieve your goals.”