'A valuable learning experience' - South African juniors get rare opportunity at E3 Saxo Classic
Global Peloton speaks to DS Hans Blom as entire squad experience Nations Cup racing for the first time.
Last Friday at the junior men’s race at the E3 Saxo Classic, a group of young South African riders got their first taste of top-level racing in Europe.
The team are the first from South Africa to race in a junior Nations Cup event for 12 years, when a team that included the likes of Stefan de Bod competed in the 2013 edition of the Trophée Morbihan Juniors.
The E3 Saxo Classic was a valuable piece of experience for the six members of the team, most of whom are based in South Africa. Their participation breathes hope into what has become a challenging environment for developing young riders in recent years in the nation that has produced more professionals than any other in Africa.
The team of six were led home by Josh Johnson, a first year junior who will race for the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe junior feeder team, Team GRENKE - Auto Eder, this season. Johnson finished 16th in the chase group behind a solo winner - a commendable performance for a rider competing at this level for the first time. It was a tough race, with just half of the original starters finishing. No other rider from the South African national squad finished the race, but all came away with valuable experience in their back pockets.
“None of them had ever competed in an event of this calibre, nor had they raced in Europe before,” one of the team’s Director Sportifs, Hans Blom, told Global Peloton. “This meant they were exposed to an entirely new level of competition, race dynamics, and logistical challenges. From the moment they arrived, they were met with new experiences—whether it was the pre-race atmosphere, the structured team preparations, or the intensity of racing against the best junior riders in the world. Simply adapting to this environment was already a valuable learning experience.”
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The E3 Saxo Classic is a baptism of fire for the unexperienced, with its cobbled climbs, narrow roads and wind just a few of the many challenges that need to be navigated.
There were several mishaps for the team on the day, which Blom put down to inexperience on the Flandrien roads.
“Every rider crashed at least once, and the team also suffered two punctures. These incidents undoubtedly affected their performance and even led to three riders having to abandon the race. However, this is all part of the sport,” Blom said.
“One of the key takeaways from this experience is the importance of positioning in the peloton. Many of the crashes could have been avoided with better positioning, which is a crucial lesson for future races. Despite the setbacks, the positive news is that none of the riders sustained serious injuries. While these challenges were frustrating, they also provided valuable learning moments that will help the riders grow and improve in future competitions.”
“They experienced firsthand how crucial elements such as positioning in the peloton, conserving energy, teamwork, and strategic decision-making are in a race of this magnitude. The physical demands were another eye-opener, as the speed, endurance, and technical skills required were far beyond what they had previously encountered,” Blom added.
The team came together as a result of one of the team’s riders, Matthew Horter, encouraging the South African federation to send a team to the race. Racing under the South African flag at any event is self-funded by the riders with no budget provided by the federation, so each rider who competed at the E3 Saxo Classic did so from their own pocket. The same was true at the Tour du Rwanda in February, when riders we required to pay around €1500 in order to compete.
South African riders required to pay federation €1500+ to ride the Tour du Rwanda
Cycling South Africa have requested that riders contribute around 30,000 South African Rand (approx. €1550) in order to compete in the upcoming Tour du Rwanda, which begins on the 23rd of February.
To keep costs down, Horter called on his team director at Dutch junior squad Team Fossa, Wilco Leusink, to support the South African squad at the race, with Blom called in to work with Leusink.
There was a clear distinction between the South Africans and many other teams at the race in the level of resource available, which according to Blom gave the riders a clear idea of what is required to make it at the top level.
“South Africa likely had the smallest budget of any participating team—essentially none—which meant that things like structured warm-ups, equipment management, and general team coordination were areas that needed improvement. Competing at this level highlighted the importance of having a well-organised support system, ensuring that riders are not just physically prepared but also mentally and logistically ready for the race.”
“Despite the challenges, this experience was invaluable. It provided the riders with a clear understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level and what they need to improve upon in their training and race approach.”
In can’t be underestimated how important opportunities like this are to riders from outside of Europe, for whom competing at the top-level comes at such a great cost. The South African federation have no budget to provide these opportunities outright, but are willing to allow the riders to race should they come up with the resources themselves to do so. The hope is that the South African national team will appear on a Nations Cup start-list again later this season.
“If we get an invite we are definitely going to try and put a team together with the riders in or travelling to Europe,” Greg Stedman, Vice President of CyclingSA responsible for sport and technical, told Global Peloton.
“We know that racing in Europe is key for rider development, so we will try and use whatever opportunities arise to give these youngsters the opportunities.”
It is striking to note that the youngest South African in the professional peloton today is XCO World Champion Alan Hatherly at 29. He is the same age as the crop of juniors that competed in the Nations Cup back in 2013, showing South Africa’s challenges in giving talent the necessary opportunities since that time.
Blom explained just how important events like this are for junior riders.
“These events bring together the world’s top junior riders, offering them a rare opportunity to compete against the best in their age group. Racing at this level is invaluable for their development, as it allows them to gain experience in high-intensity competition, refine their tactical skills, and adapt to the demands of international racing.”
“Additionally, these races serve as a crucial stepping stone for young talents aiming to progress to professional cycling. Competing in a Nations Cup event not only tests their physical and mental endurance but also exposes them to different racing styles, teamwork dynamics, and strategic decision-making under pressure. Performing well in these races can attract the attention of professional teams and national selectors, opening doors to further opportunities in the sport.”
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