Young Zane Salzwedel is cycling his way to the top, as prepares to compete in the UCI Junior Track World Championships in Luoyang, China from August 21-25.
The Selborne College pupil won the African Championships earlier this year and has been in Europe for the last two months touring from Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands in the Junior Tour of Assen.
Salzwedel said he feels privileged and proud to represent SA as this is one of his biggest dreams.
He will be racing, individually in the scratch race and in the ‘Madison’ he will partner with Rhys Burrell from Gqeberha. They are the SA and African Continental Madison champions.
However, preparing and perfecting his craft in East London hasn’t been smooth sailing given the onslaught of vandalism and theft at the Amalinda Cycling Track, which has severely hampered the city’s capacity to grow Border cycling.
Last year, a report presented at a council meeting in July highlighted the city’s failure to maintain 53 sports facilities, including the track.
The report pointed out inadequate ground maintenance, lack of security and insufficient supervision. It recommended hiring accredited security services to protect these facilities.
Zane’s father, Eastern Cape Cycling president Stephan Salzwedel noted that local cyclists have struggled for more than 13 years to secure municipal support for the Amalinda track, the only cycling facility within a 300km radius.
Salzwedel criticised the municipality for not allowing local sports bodies to manage the security, which he believes would bring greater accountability and long-term leases to sports bodies might be a more effective solution.
Stephen said: “We are limited with our resources and facilities. The track is in poor condition which makes it difficult to use.
“The track is extremely run down. We’ve tried for some time, as the Eastern Cape Cycling Amathole district, to secure the place as a tenant and to get a lease. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been forthcoming.”
The constant vandalism of facilities has started to affect many talents like Zane and restricted their practising and preparing for races.
“Weve got so much untapped talent out there but unfortunately, at this stage don’t have the proper facilities to implement programmes for children to flourish from.”
Zane has found some alternative training methods such as motor pacing. Cyclists in motor pacing have to cycle behind a motorbike and try to match the intensity of speed that they could expect in a race. This, however, has many dangers and risks of severe injuries.
Despite the lack of suitable facilities, available, Zane and his dad remain optimistic about his capacity to excel in China.
Stephan said: “Amathole Cycling is extremely proud of Zane’s achievements.”
In need of funding for Zanes trip in China, his mother and siblings have held bake sales. For those who want to contribute towards raise Zanes funds for his trip please contact Celeste Salzwedel, his mother, at 084-637-2680.
