One lucky Team Dimension Data Zwift Academy graduate will gain the opportunity of a lifetime if he earns a spot on the U23 Dimension Data Professional cycling team.
Port Elizabeth cyclists Ceejay Bosman, Brad Gouveris and Munro Munnik are hard at work honing their skills in the saddle as they vie for the coveted spot which would see them catapulted into the world of professional cycling.
Cycology Studios, situated in Main Road, Walmer, is the site at which the trio will carry out their training over the next few weeks.
The academy, which started on August 6 and ends on September 30, features thousands of prospective cyclists from around the globe with the aim of finding the next breakout pro cyclist.
Using Zwift software, the latest indoor cycling training aide, cyclists around the world will carry out 16 tasks including 10 workouts, four group rides and two races in the comfort of their own living rooms or specific cycling studios.
Gouveris said the training had been going well.
“I feel I have been doing my best up to now, and I am happy with what I have put out so far,” he said.
“The academy has a bunch of intensity intervals at which we work, so it touches a bit of everything and helps them find what type of rider you are.”
Munnik said the convenience of being able to cycle indoors and at any time was beneficial to him because he is a student, and often found it difficult to ride alone in the morning or at night.
“It means a lot to be able to be part of this programme and to get a shot at riding for such an established team like Dimension Data, albeit in the feeder team, [which] would also open doors to bigger opportunities,” he said.
While Bosman said there was not much difference between training indoors and outdoors, apart from the safety aspect, the software ensured that he never missed a training session due to adverse weather conditions.
Warren Dickson, one of the founders of Cycology Studios, said once it had found out about the academy, it identified three riders in the Bay and offered its facilities for them to carry out their tasks.
“Each of them has their individual coaches – we just offered our facility to carry out their training,” he said.
“We are very strongly linked to Zwift, and I think this is a very good tool for all cyclists to improve their abilities.”
Co-founder Warren Barber said: “Our vision is to grow the sport of cycling in the city.
“There was no facility like this available in Port Elizabeth so, with the academy’s help, we hope to sprout the next big cycling star in the city.”
The pair also made the facility available to the five development triathletes who form part of the Siyaphambili Triathlon Participation Programme as they prepare for the Isuzu Ironman 70.3 World Championships to be hosted in the Bay in September.
David Hyam, national representative for Zwift, said riders would need to complete a number of tasks which test their abilities.
“High performance coaches and analysts will monitor each rider’s performance statistics and will analyse every aspect of the cyclist to find the most suitable candidates to progress.”
Hyam said 10 riders would be selected to attend the semifinal round in mid October, from which three riders will advance to the final round in November.
The chosen three will advance to the final round where they will have to pull out all the stops to show they have the necessary elements to become a professional rider on the Dimension Data feeder team.
The Zwift software allows riders to compete online with thousands of athletes from across the globe.
Once the bicycle has been connected to the indoor trainer, riders can log onto the internet and choose courses to tackle, with rides being done in real time.