Young cyclist aims to do his best
Eighteen year-old Mohammed Bhamjee has been cycling for six months and Sunday's Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge will be the biggest race in his career.
“I am a bit anxious and nervous, but hopefully I’ll finish,” he said with a big smile on Wednesday afternoon.Due to studies, he normally only has time to train on Sundays, but then he makes the most of it. “Cycling is great because it is always fun riding with other people and on Sundays, I ride with the weekend cycle boys.”
Mohammed also completed the 35 kilometre race at the Tour de Farm. “I was a bit late and started 15 minutes after our group left. But it was very nice – next year I’ll aim for the 75 kilometre race!”
He is a true all-rounder and has played almost every single sport – from indoor soccer to cricket and golf.
But what does he prefer – road cycling or mountain biking?
“For me road cycling is more interesting and, of course, less risky!”
Though he is going to ride on a borrowed cycle, he aims to complete the 94.7 in under five hours. “I am getting used to the bike during the last two days and I would just like to thank oom Willie (Jacobs) for organising it, on such short notice. But I am going to push myself to the limit and hopefully get a sponsor.”
He also wants to take his cycling career further after school. “Maybe even starting with Ruan’s (De Villiers) racing juniors!”
And with his positive attitude, he can certainly achieve his goals.
• Mohammed is a pupil at the Middelburg Institute of Learning and with Middies’ Ruan de Villiers one of the youngest entries from Middelburg.
