we were flying down Route 62 I panicked,
thinking that we’d lost him. But not five
minutes later he slid back into the bunch
and carried on the conversation as if
he hadn’t just put in a four-minute TT
interval at over 50kmh! Yes they were
on absolute cruise mode, and I have to
wonder if they could manage a ride of
close to four hours at full gas (the course
record is five hours). Jan alone can ride a
180km bike leg in 04:20, before running
a 02:40 marathon.
This squad’s mission was in support
of Qhubeka, a local charity that provides
bicycles to people in communities with
limited transportation options. The
team raised funds for 500 of Qhubeka’s
distinctive yellow bikes, which the riders
presented to township schoolchildren at
these were authentic characters who
share my deep passion for bike riding.
And two, in my opinion, the Coronation
Double Century is the best road cycling
event in our beautiful country.
The 202km insanely scenic route, which
winds over rugged mountain passes,
through flower-lined, green wineland
valleys and in and out of quaint Klein
Karoo dorpies, serves as the perfect
platform for six hours plus of jibber-jabber
bonding with like-minded souls.
Age and experience are no longer an
obstacle in this 12-person team format,
where those who are strongest simply
pull longest. When six of your team have
won Grand Tours, world championships,
Olympic medals and literally thousands
of other races between them, you don’t
need to show off any form or feel guilty
for not putting in the work that amateur
team mates would expect. You’re pretty
much an inside-the-ropes guest, there
WHAT IS THE BREITLING
TRIATHLON SQUAD?
The Breitling Squad concept, created
and sponsored by the Swiss watchmaker,
involves creating three-person groups
whose members are all recognised
masters in their respective professions
– and then sending them on missions in
support of a good casue. The Breitling
Triathlon Squad is made up of three of
the sport’s most successful competitors:
Jan Frodeno, Chris “Macca” McCormack
and Daniela Ryf (pictured top).
to witness firsthand just how good these
guys are. More importantly, you can get
under the skin of what makes the greatest
bike riders tick as they share anecdotes,
advice and learnings in a social setting –
and for a worthy cause.
I was rolling along beside Vincenzo
Nibali, a winner at all three Grand
Tours; Jan Frodeno, in my opinion the
greatest triathlete ever (and raised in
SA); Nino Schurter, a seven-time MTB
world champion; Daniela Ryf, a multiple
IRONMAN world champion; and Chris
McCormack, another IRONMAN world
champion. Add Nicholas Dlamini from
Team Dimension Data and some other
high-profile names and I was part of a
team I could have hung out with for the
rest of my days. Imagine my high as a
20-time DC rider, lifetime triathlete
and cycling journalist. I got to spend
uninterrupted quality time, including at
meals and on bus trips to and from our
team hotels, with the world’s best.
I was one of two media riders who
joined Breitling CEO Georges Kern – the
founder of the Breitling Squads concept
– on this extraordinary Double Century
team. What was it like riding the long,
hard route with the world’s best? The
simplest way to describe the chasm
between the pros and the amateurs
was how they effortlessly continued
a conversation as they moved onto
the front of the echelon into a wind, or
powered uphill while us amateurs chased
hard. Then there was Nino. When he
stopped for a leak he simply peeled off
with no warning to the group. Given that
Above, from left: Nino Schurter, Jan Frodeno,
Daniela Ryf, Vincenzo Nibali, Chris McCormack,
Georges Kern, Nic Dlamini and Ronnie Schildknecht.
a warm handover ceremony. Each celeb
took time to engage with and encourage
the young recipients. You could easily
appreciate that these global sporting
icons were past seeking the limelight or
growing their financial earnings, but were
rather seeking meaning and spiritual
wealth by making a difference.
So it is still with great pride that I wear
the gold and navy Breitling squad colours.
Hearing each mega star speak openly
about their fears and dreams, plus seeing
them share their experience in SA with
millions of social media followers, was
pure poetry for me. The squad didn’t
make a public noise – in fact most other
DC team riders had no idea that these
living legends were among them until
after they’d left the country – but instead
chose to focus their energy on a greater
purpose. I still have to pinch myself that
this experience was real, and I can only
hope that the Breitling Triathlon Squad
return to our beautiful country again. ●
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