Paraplegic Dane Wilson during the 2009 Absa Cape Epic. Photo: Sportograf/Absa Cape Epic
Paraplegic cyclist Dane Wilson will be teaming up with Reuben van Niekerk for this year’s Absa Cape Epic as team Driepoot Toyota.
Wilson, who will be participating in his second Cape Epic, was the first paraplegic person to complete the race back in 2009.
The 30-year-old, who works as a project manager for Junk Mail Publishing Digital, says that his race partner worked as a volunteer during the 2012 edition to secure an entry.
“We’ve been riding together on the track and road for a while and thought it would be a fantastic challenge to complete the Cape Epic as the first ‘para’ team,” said Wilson.
They train together two to three times per week depending on their schedules. “We mostly ensure that we do at least one long ride together,” said Wilson.
He follows a programme compiled by his long-time track cycling coach Sheldon Bole, who mixes up his training through the week with a combination of road riding, mountain biking and track sessions.
Wilson reckons the most important ingredient to complete the Cape Epic is to stay positive while suffering.
“Although base fitness is a given requirement, it takes a certain kind of mental perseverance to make it through the eihgt days.”
He feels that being a paraplegic will not affect his participation, or be a challenge.
“I just need extra preparation and need to ensure that my prosthetic is up to the challenge.”
