Track trio triumph in Africa: 13 medals for Eden stars

Update

GEORGE SPORT - Three Eden cyclists participating in 15 events bagged 13 medals and three SA records at the African Continental Track Cycling Championships held in Cairo, Egypt, from 12 to 16 May.

Anya du Plessis, Daniel le Roux and Hannie Vreken were part of the 19-strong national track cycling team that competed at these prestigious championships at the Cairo International Velodrome.

Competing in a velodrome with roof covering but open sides, the cyclists conquered hot and dry desert conditions with temperatures soaring up to a reported 40ºC to bring home the silverware. They also had to quickly adapt to late-night racing.

"We had to drink lots of water and electrolytes not to dehydrate. Racing started at 17:00 every day. On the first day, we raced our scratch race at 23:30, long after my normal bedtime. It was hard to stay awake, but then we could sleep later in the mornings," said Hannie of her maiden continental championship experience.

"I did not know any of the riders against whom I would be riding (other than my SA teammates) and the other countries' girls also did not know me. I just took it one race at a time and tried not to overthink it."

This Hoërskool Outeniqua Grade 11 learner, who competed in the junior women's category, was laser-focused on bringing home at least one medal, but ended up with four gold medals and an SA record in the 1km time trial.

"I was so surprised and overwhelmed when I took an unexpected win in that first scratch race, but that fuelled me for more."

Anya du Plessis

Meanwhile, Du Plessis, a full-time Matie hailing from Hoekwil, clinched a silver and two bronze medals in the elite women's category.

The silver medal was in the 3km individual pursuit and came with an SA record. This while being under the weather and with a psychology exam looming the morning after touching down back on home soil on Sunday afternoon.

Daniel, who racked up a tally of four gold and two silver medals in the junior men's category, including an SA record in the team pursuit, expressed what a privilege it was to represent his country.

He said having raced mostly in Europe, Egypt was vastly different to anywhere he'd raced before. While the overall racing was good, Daniel highlighted a clear disparity between the fitness and skill levels of the South African riders compared with those from the rest of the continent.

"Racing was tough, but at no point did I feel it was a struggle to be where I wanted to be," said the Grade 11 EcolTech learner who podiumed in all six his events.

Daniel said as a first-year junior rider, he was happy with his results. "Becoming an African champion in a range of events was a big goal of mine for 2025."

He will spend the next few weeks training and racing in Europe in preparation for the UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, in October.

Hannie Vreken, Sonja Schultz (national team manager), Daniel le Roux and Anya du Plessis at the Cairo International Velodrome.