Don’t miss out on our online coaching plan for cyclists who dream big! We only have 8 spots open for our September cohort. Receive a month-long strength training program worth R300 when joining before 5 September 2025.
Big dreams realised:
Keanu Pieterse – multiple SA scholars track champion
Pierre van Zyl – SA masters track champion
Danie van Onselen – SA masters track champion and provincial tt champion
6 riders from South Africa competed at the Next Generation meeting in Appeldoorn, Netherlands, from 10 to 12 January 2025. One of them was Track Cycling SA club member, Nikalau Volsteedt.
We spoke to Nikalau about her experiences at her first international competition.
What was it like to compete on a wooden velodrome as opposed to the concrete one in Bellville?
Nikalau in a sprint qualifier at Appeldoorn
“I could not believe how smooth it felt. I could race a gear that is 2-3 inches heavier than usual.”
How much opportunity was there to race?
“I rode both sprint and endurance events over the course of the three days. Six events in total. On Friday I rode 3 keirins. On Saturday I rode a points and elimination race. Finally on Sunday a scratch race”
What was your favourite race?
Nikalau (centre in SA kit) surrounded by all of the major cycling nations
“My favourite race was the elimination race. The bunch racing was exhilarating. It was so much fun to be in a bunch with all the other countries. So happy I didn’t crash in this race since there were a few close calls. I got 19th in this race which is more than I hoped for. I gained loads of experience out of all the races. Forever grateful for that.” (Editor’s note – Nikalau’s positioning was great in this race, but there were some neutral laps at a crucial stage when a rider suffered a burst tire. She unfortunately found herself boxed in when the racing restarted. A neutral lap on the track is still at a high pace. It only means that nobody is eliminated during neutral.)
What was the highlight?
“The highest point for me was entering the velodrome on the first day of racing. The atmosphere was surreal. It was amazing seeing all the countries knowing that I’ll soon be racing against them.”
Do you have advice for young riders?
“Take your time trying new things and have fun while doing it.”
Are you looking forward to any races?
“For now my focus is on the SA track champs in April. Maybe try and qualify for the African champs.”
Track Cycling SA club provides structure for riders from other disciplines to experience the joy of track cycling. Here is why we recommend considering track cycling.
Beginner sessions – Track Cycling SA club helps new riders to get started in a supporting environment.
Access to bikes – New riders start on the club’s bikes. There is no barrier to entry.
Structured training – We have free training sessions at the velodrome.
Fun and excitement – Riding on the banked walls is exhilarating. The atmosphere is lively. There is a huge sense of achievement.
Camaraderie and community – Track cycling involves training and racing with others, which can create strong bonds and a sense of community.
Improved skills – Better bike handling skills and race craft.
Safe environment- No cars, no pedestrians, no wind, no rain, and no dark. First Aid level 2 and Guardian approved club staff. Structured training.
Track Cycling SA club offers free track intro sessions at Bellville velodrome. Bikes and coaching are provided. Our next one is a Women’s track day on Sunday, 19 Jan. Pre-bookings close on Tuesday, 14 Jan.
Vo2 max intervals may be beneficial to athletes who already have a solid aerobic endurance base and who have reached a power plateau. Vo2 max training may give a competitive advantage in events which require higher power demands such as track endurance events, hill climbs and criteriums.
The stimulus of VO2 max intervals can improve power. The VO2 max program below is ideal to help athletes to cycle at a higher power for longer within 4 weeks. It starts with short VO2 max intervals to boost power and then works up to longer intervals to sustain it.
Aerobic fitness is key for cycling. Cycling events longer than a kilo on the track utilize aerobic energy. A well developed aerobic system will help a cyclist to ride at a higher intensity for longer.
The 4-week aerobic fitness programs in the links below can be used pre-season or at the start of a season. They can be applied to prepare for road, track, MTB and gravel disciplines.
The third round of the Western Province track league took place on Fri, 2 August, at Bellville velodrome. This event was back to back following the one on Friday, 26 July.
It was the second track event at Bellville velodrome under the new LED lights which replaced the existing 30-year old lights that that were at end of lifespan.
This upgrade solidified the Bellville velodrome as the top indoor cycling facility in Africa.
The program was fast and action packed. Racing started at 7pm and ended at 9.30pm. There was racing for category A to E and riders from under 11 up to 75 – 79 competed.
There were several highlights. Here is our top 5:
10km scooter scratch (30 laps scooter and 10 laps scratch) in 11min59s at 50kmh. Carl Bonthuys winning.
The Western Province elite team pursuit squad in action and closing in on 50kmh.
Imtiyaaz “Sparkles” Schultz first cat A win with a long sprint in the 8 laps scratch race.
The Cat D kids racing at 40kmh in their scooter scratch.
Cat E kids start list growing with 2 more riders joining in.
The 125th Paarl Boxing day track cycling challenge took place at the Faure street stadium, Paarl, on Tuesday 26 December.
This track cycling event started in 1897 with the open 25-mile race being the most prestigious event on the program. The winner of this races gets their name engraved on the Minnaar trophy that dates back to 1908.
90 riders participated this year ranging in categories from under 11 scholars to masters.
The elite field saw the professional rider, Jonas Rickaert, from Belgium lining up on the start line along side the top local track riders. He took top honours by winning the 25-mile and was also awarded the top rider of the day trophy.
Jonas Rickaert wins the 25-mile race. Photo Marc Pentz
The WP track league kicks off on Saturday, 20 May’23, at Bellville velodrome. The loadshedding schedule has been consulted and there is no impact on the event.
The maximum gear ratio is limited to 90-inches. This encourages rides to use leg speed. It is a fun way to get going again on the track after a break since the track nations in April.
Track cyclists from across South Africa are ready to race at Maximum Velocity 7. This is the final event at Bellville velodrome before the national track cycling championships.
It takes place on the Cape Town Cycle Tour weekend. This allows visiting riders the chance to an outing on the track on Friday, 10 Nov, before the Cycle Tour.
The program is fast and action packed. It features a sprint invitation, a team pursuit and and endurance competition.
The sprint event is by invitation and these riders will entertain the crowds in a match sprint tournament.
The endurance events are there to sharpen the skills before the national championship. It features technical events such as the points, scooter scratch and elimination races. Riders in the Cape are familiar with the scooter scratch. This is an endurance race where the scooter paces the riders for a set amount of laps while they rotate. Riders may only sit behind the scooter for 1 lap. The scooter pulls of with a few laps to go and then it is a scratch race from there.
Spectator entry is free. There will be coffee and food on sale at the event.
Entries close on Tuesday, 7 March 2023. No late entries.
Sign-on and number collection closes at 6.30pm on race night. Racing starts at 7pm and finishes at 10pm.
