The UCI Cycling World Championships is classed as “THE BIGGEST CYCLING EVENT EVER” where the world’s greatest riders gather to compete at the highest level, make history, and show the world the power of the bike.
Held in Glasgow and across Scotland this year, Zanri Rossouw was amongst those who have long dreamed of this opportunity.
“It was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a very long time on the bike!” Zanri tells us, weeks after the excitement has settled and her day-to-day routine back in full swing.
The 2023 SA Time Trial Champion went into the race conscious to the fact that she doesn’t race at the same international standard. “The level is much higher than what we see in South Africa. But it has changed my mindset in a few ways.”
In lead to World Champs, majority of her preparation took place in the winter months. For those who experienced this year’s Cape Town winter, would know how much of a challenge that could be.
“I was training at all hours of the day to work around the terrible weather conditions, work responsibilities and just to stay motivated. Sometimes I was hard to fit everything in.”
While it’s always a challenge to prepare for the unknown, she’s happy with the approach she took and feels that she did everything she could do.
“Prior to the event, I tried to keep myself busy and not think about it too much. But the day of the race was busy and stressful, but it was a super experience. One I hope to get another opportunity to again.”
Zanri had a very good day on the bike, with good legs, ending halfway on the log of results – not a bad attempt for her very first World Tour.
The only regret she has is getting sick and wasn’t able to race the Road Race.
“I was really looking forward to that.”
