DARYL Impey from the South has been one of a few cyclists that have been accepted on the OPEX support programme.
Four new cyclists have been accepted, which also includes Gerald Rex (Para-cycling), Mariske Strauss (MTB) and Louis Meintjes (Road).
Cycling South Africa announced that some of their cyclists have been included in the OPEX support programme.
Impey recently returned home and received a heroes welcome after wearing the Yellow jersey at this year’s Tour de France.
Cycling South Africa President, William Newman, said: “Cycling South Africa is very grateful for the support to our riders from the SASCOC OPEX programme. Every little bit of help that the riders can get will greatly improve their standard and improve their chances of success at the 2016 Olympic Games and beyond. The OPEX selection process is a very stringent one, so making the selection shows the quality of our riders. I want to encourage those riders who have missed out on OPEX selection to continue working hard so that they can once again be considered for the March 2014 intake. The door remains open for any other deserving riders to be considered for inclusion into the programme.
“We wish the riders well on their journey to Rio 2016.”
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s (SASCOC) Operation Excellence (OPEX) programme for the Road to Rio 2016 covers a full range of support for the athlete, from coaching and training support and facilities to national and international training camps and competition expenses, as well as living expenses.
Athletes who had their OPEX funding extended are: Bernard Esterhuizen (Track), Ernst van Dyk (Para-cycling), Stuart McCreadie (Para-cycling), Teagan O’Keeffe (BMX), Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (Road) and Nolan Hoffman (Track).
