Former road cyclist Andrew McLean has temporarily shifted his focus to the upcoming UCI Masters MTB World Championships, which take place in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal from August 21 to 25.
“I will certainly be out there competing in my age group in August. I’m at the end of my age category which is a slight disadvantage however that certainly won’t stop me from going out there and giving it my all!” said Mclean, a former professional and popular television presenter.
Mclean is driven by a burning desire to right the record books of last year’s UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT) Final in Pietermaritzburg where he had to settle for silver in both the time-trial and road race.
“There definitely is a little bit of added motivation after finishing second in both races last year. This, together with the fact that I have never won a world title on home soil, will definitely be a driving force for me on the day!
McLean has taken part in events around the world and very few others can appreciate the opportunity this year’s spectacle presents local riders better than him.
“An opportunity like this, where one is able to compete in the most prestigious international event as a masters rider, usually only comes around once in a lifetime so I, along with the rest of the South African cycling community, really am incredibly lucky to be able to do so twice.
“You only have to look at the numbers enrolling in cycling events each weekend across the country to see just how much of an impact these top international events have had.
“I’d say numbers are probably ten times what they were a couple of years ago and that can only be healthy for cycling as a whole, and especially for mountain biking, in South Africa.”
Visit www.mtbworldchamps.co.za.
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