Hayley Preen
Overcoming challenges and stepping it up
Hello there!
I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the response to my first post earlier in the week. Thanks for subscribing, reading or sending me a little encouragement.
As a thank you, here’s an interview I recently did with South African Hayley Preen, just before the South African National Championships - where Hayley won the criterium, finished second in the TT and fourth in the road race. You may have already seen this on my website.
Hayley is a great rider and was brilliant to chat to. She’s got bags of talent and I reckon she might have a big couple of years ahead.
Please share this post and subscribe if you haven’t yet done so.
I’ll be back on Wednesday with a look at the Tour du Rwanda and some more news.
Dan
Hayley Preen is a naturally-gifted athlete, but her progress toward the upper echelons of cycling has been stalled by the same challenge that many African riders face – visas.
The South African realised she had some ability on the bike after finishing on the podium of the Cape Town Cycle Tour - “the World Champs of South Africa” according to Preen - off just a couple of months of training on the bike. A recognised trail runner and horse rider, Preen began to focus more on cycling after this and other top domestic results.
The 24-year-old has progressed nicely since then, enjoying an excellent season in 2022. Her highlights were taking the win in the four stage Manx International GP in July and finishing a solid 12th at the Commonwealth Games Road Race.
Preen’s big win on the Isle of Man came as a bit of a surprise.
“I really didn't expect to win it overall,” Preen admits. “On each of the stages I was up there and then it got to the long stage and it was tough. There was a climb at 12% or something, with a section at 27% - it was ridiculous and in extreme weather. I felt really good and then when I was in the lead on my own, I couldn't quite believe it.”
Those strong results earned her some interest from bigger teams. Unfortunately for Preen, that interest didn’t result in a World Tour contract in 2023 for reasons outside of her control.
“There was a team that I was about to sign with and I think because that country had brought in new rules for a required a minimum salary and the team didn't want to deal with visa issues it didn’t work out,” Preen reveals.
“It’s a problem not having European passport. It came to an end last minute and because of that then all other teams were full.”
It’s a disappointing, but unsurprising, turn of events for Preen. Almost all African riders face similar struggles with travel restrictions and teams not willing to take on the risks required.
Although clearly less than satisfied with how her transfer saga turned out, Preen is happy to have a home with Torelli for another year.
“It's normally a good race calendar, so it will still be good. I wasn't with them for very long last year because of my studies and then because my visa took so long to arrive.”
The Moolman Effect
The 2021 national road race champion is one of seven South Africans racing for UCI teams in 2023. Six of these are 26 or younger. The nation is seeing a wealth of young female talent with opportunities in Europe. It’s motivating for Preen to see so many of her peers alongside her.
“I know there are quite a few from this year that it’s their first time going across and racing there, and I think that's very exciting because it's always nice seeing familiar faces on the start line. It motivates you and you just feel comfortable. I remember at the Mont Ventoux race last year, Frances Janse van Rensburg was also racing and suddenly I just felt so comfortable in the group just because I knew if she can do it, I can do it too.”
A connection is easily made between the rise of riders like Frances and Hayley and the success of South Africa’s talismanic rider, Ashleigh Moolman. The AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step Team rider has raced in Europe since 2010 and had arguably her best ever season last year. Preen remarks that although Moolman has inspired this new generation, the barriers that she faced when she moved to Europe 13 years ago remain.
“She made a huge sacrifice to move from South Africa to Girona. She needed to do that to progress and it's really paid off but it took a lot of hard work and sacrifices.
“It's great because she that did for us, but it's also difficult because we need to do the same thing - with different challenges. We can ask her for help or advice. She had to go through everything, but we also need to go through everything.”
The South African federation doesn’t possess the investment required to support individual riders in their racing, with many stories being told of riders having to fork-out themselves even to race in a South African jersey. Some other federations, even in some of the less-developed nations in Africa, will support their riders financially or even with visa applications and travel arrangements to get to races. Most South Africans have to do it all solo.
Preen hopes to overcome these challenges this season to secure that top-level contract. She is already putting things in place to make that dream a reality in 2024.
“I think I've learned from last year, going into this year to start having conversations [about a 2024 contract] like now. The earlier it is, the more time you have to sort out any issues. I'm confident for next year.
“I think it helps starting earlier and I learned that the hard way and hopefully I'll get an agent as well which will make it a bit easier. If you start contacting teams now, then they are aware and they look out for you at races.”
Reaching the Top
Preen is measured in her approach to goal-setting for this year. She has results that she’d like to target – starting next week at the South African National Championships – but also realises that she still has things to learn if she is to be successful in the sport.
“The goal this year will be to get to as many UCI races as possible. Get as much experience as possible, and hopefully some good results. It's mainly just racing there, getting experience and then I think results will come.
“One of the biggest problems with the South Africans can be our bunch-riding skills. Our bunches here are very small, but then you get to Europe and there's like 180 riders on a tiny road. I think that's one of the main things, just being comfortable in the bunch. If you're not comfortable, you just waste a whole lot more energy which can then effect your overall performance.”
Preen is talented enough and has the mental attributes to make it as a top professional. Not just one to make up the numbers, but one who can achieve results to a high level. If the world was fair, this would be enough for her to walk into a World Tour contract.
The world isn’t fair, though. Unfortunately, European and non-European riders aren’t gifted the same opportunities. However, the career of Ashleigh Moolman, among many others, is evidence that it can be done.
At 24, Preen is the same age now as Moolman was when she made the switch to Europe. South Africa is in need of a successor. Preen’s ability on the bike plus her determination to overcome challenges makes her a prime candidate.