History as para juniors compete in CSA Youth Championships

Eight junior para-cyclists competed in the CSA Youth Championships on 26-27 September. This is the first time that para-cyclists have taken part in the competition and SASAPD's para-cycling code convenor, Lizelle Cronje, reflected on the groundbreaking weekend in Oudtshoorn.

"It was a great opportunity for our riders to gain formal cycling experience. This past weekend will hopefully prove to be a big step in each of their developments and help us all towards our goal of having our para-cyclists competing at the Paralympics one day."

The team sent to the CSA Youth Championships was determined by their performances at the national championships in March and featured riders two athletes from the Western Cape and six from the Free State. Cronje spoke about how each of the young cyclists embraced the occasion and made the experience unforgettable.

"I am so proud of them all. They stepped into a new world and took on every challenge. They proved that our para-cyclists deserve every opportunity to take part in the big events."

The competition was not the only aspect of the weekend that stood out as the SASAPD riders revelled in the jaw-dropping equipment on show. "It was amazing to see the awe in their eyes when they saw the expensive bicycles. There was certainly a wow factor to the whole thing. The number of cyclists competing and the expensive bicycles on display was a great sight for our team to behold."

The dedicated Cronje has her mind fixed on the Paralympics. The CSA Youth Championships provided a chance for her athletes to compete in high level time trials and road races, which she believes will give these eight cyclists a big boost forward. However, the national code convenor is now looking to carry this momentum forward.

"I want to see more para-cycling involved in events like these. I believe we have a bit of downtime coming up with our next big event being next year's Toyotal SASAPD National Championships. I want to push on from this and keep finding opportunities to expose our young riders to the next level. The more we can do that, the closer we can get to our Paralympic dream."

The 2026 CSA Youth Championships was historical. It is the first step towards a bright future for para-cycling and there will certainly be many more events like this that will feature para-cycling.