On The Right Track

We catch up with fifteen-time South African champion sprinting track cyclist and USN Ambassador Jean Smith on his most memorable achievement, preparing for the Common Wealth Games, being a family man, and his pre-game day ritual.

- CHARELLE JOHNSON MAVIC

Tell us a bit about how you got into cycling. When did you receive your first bike, and when did you realise you wanted to take it seriously?

I started cycling about 11 years ago. I had a normal mountain bike for going to school and back, but only started track cycling in 2006. In about 2009 I tried to give sprinting a full go on the track. I liked the idea of going to the gym three times a week and then still being able to ride my bike. I was never really built for the road scene. I really wanted to receive my Western Province colours and I knew this was the best way possible for me.

Having won 15 South African championship titles, you must have some serious racing memories. Which would you say sticks out the most?

I think my first individual SA title back in 2010 was surely my most memorable. Even though I'm on another level now than I was back then, there's nothing better than that feeling. Then, the first time I represented South Africa abroad back in 2013 with the late Jeanne Nell and Olympian Bernard Esterhuizen at the Manchester Velodrome - we set a new South African record in the Team Sprint but were relegated to last because of a technicality.

Preparing for a race cannot be a simple walk in the park, how intense is your training leading up to a race?