In only her second major road cycling race, local Potchefstroomer, Danielle Strydom (17), unleashed her massive potential and talent to be crowned South African National Champion in the women’s junior category at the SA National Road Cycling Champion-ships.

Danielle showed her appetite for the big occasion to   take the field by storm with a massive effort in Westville, Durban during the champion-ships on Saturday 13 February.

Danielle has been in magnificent form for the past year and a half and has been racking up victories and podium positions left, right and centre, especially in mountain biking.

“Ever since joining the Turbo Snails, under coach, Frans van der Berg, my times have become better and I knew that I had a real chance to compete and win,” she said.

The precursor to Danielle’s achievement was a third place finish in the time trial race at the SA championship in Wartburg, Pietermaritzburg – an astounding achievement for a relative newbie to road cycling.

“The level of strong and determined competitors in road cycling is very different to the more relaxed atmosphere of mountain biking. Road cycling is intense pressure and much more serious. I was nervous at the start but felt good once we got going,” said Strydom, who took a year off competitive cycling in 2014.

At the start of the big race, Danielle eyed up her competition and managed to stay at the front through her excellent climbing skills, durability and fighting spirit.

“I attacked at the last feeding zone and, with 4 kilometres to go, Nicolene Marais, Jessica Brown and I were battling for first place. I attacked again on the last climb and, once I reached the top, I was in the lead, with only a downhill section to go.”

It was a feeling of disbelief as Danielle crossed the finish line in tears of joy.

“It took some time to sink in completely. It felt like I was flying over the line. All the pain and tiredness disappeared at that moment. I was on a complete high.” In the long run, Danielle would like to make a career out of cycling and, most of all, enjoy it to the fullest.

“She deserves it as she really works hard towards it,” says her proud mom, Theresa.

Danielle, who is sponsored by Swiss Cycles ZA and Polyoak, finishes our interview with a strong and determined message:

“I just want to cycle as long as I can!”

Career highlights:

2013: School Nationals winner

2015: Nissan Trailseeker Series overall female half-marathon winner

Pennypinchers Origin of Trails – Ladies winner (short distance)

XCO SAs at Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch – Third place.

Marathon XCO at Van Gaalen – Third place

Bestmed Satellite Road Race – First place (Ladies) and fifth overall

Ladies winner in the 94.7 MTB Half-Marathon challenge

2016: Time Trial SA’s at Wartburg – Third place

SA Road Cycle Championships at Westville, Durban – First place