Cycling South Africa - the track discipline - also announced a plan for the future and especially the young Junior cyclists were in the eye of the selectors. These youngsters that showed promise will be earmarked for the Olympic Games of 2016. It is best to have a long term development plan and work with the promising youngsters to ensure optimal development.
Yorkshire Cycling Academy riders also participated at the 2011 champs and the competition was fierce and tough. Daniston Perrins under 12 academy rider performed brilliant when he medaled in all of his three races he participated in. Perrins won gold in the 1500m, as well as silver in the 500m Time Trial and the 3km race. Jean Claude Jantjies won bronze in the 1500m race, under 16. The Boland Under 16 - 3000m Team Pursuit team got a silver medal. The team consisted of Brent van Rooyen (Rhadsport), Franklin Stoffels, Jean Claude Jantjies and Graeme Ockhuis (all Yorkshire).
A revelation was the performances of the endurance rider from Franschoek, Nolan Hoffman as well as Bernard Esterhuizen. Hoffman participated on the track after a 18 month suspension. But he showed with class that he is hungry for winning. He was outstanding and was crowned as Elite SA Champion in the Points Race, Elimination Race, Scratch Race - 15km, 2 man Madison event. He was also part of the Tasol GT Team that took gold in the 4000, Team Pursuit.
Hoffman also went on to win the Road Classic event, the Tour of Durban on Sunday 1 May when he outsprinted all the top teams' riders like MTN, Bonitas. This in his first week of return to cycling.
Esterhuizen on the otherhand is a pure sprinter. Winner of the 2010 Junior World title in the 1000m Time Trial, he took gold at the SA Track Champs in the 1000m Time Trial, Sprint, Keirin and the 3 men Team Sprint as well as the 1500m race. Esterhuizen is very talented and he trains for the past few years at the International Cycling Organisation's (UCI) cycling school in Switzerland.
Esterhuizen and Hoffman will definitely be on Cycling SA's squad for the 2012 Olympics in London. Their performances were definitely of a high standard and they are a revelation for our young riders and of the results of some hard work.
