Top riders like Jolanda Neff, Annika Langvad and Kate Courtney may never have heard of Amahle, Ongezo, Aphiwe and Nomfundo before. But these four young women have their eyes on the rainbow stripes and have more determination than many can imagine.
"My goals in cycling are to learn and train more so that I can become the best among the best and pave my way to becoming a professional in the sport," says team rider Aphiwe Goge, who is only twelve years old.

A first in South Africa

Ambitions like Aphiwe's are the lifeblood of the team and an important motivation for Velosolutions. The track construction company based in Flims joined forces with "Peschl Sports" and the "GO!Durban Cycle Academy" to support an all-female team called "Velosolutions Izimbali" to make their dreams come true.
Previously, there was little to no support for African women in cycling in South Africa. There has also never been a team dedicated to the uprising of black women cyclists. Velosolutions is taking the opportunity to change this and is now supporting a team of young women from the townships around Durban.

The non-profit organization "GO!Durban Cycle Academy" was founded in 2016 as a partnership between the "eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA)" and "Durban Green Corridors (DGC)". The aim was to create a safe space for disadvantaged young people to play and learn through sport. The program provides free cycling lessons, academic support and life skills for young people aged seven to 18 near several bike parks in the region. Since then, the Academy has promoted healthy and active lifestyles by encouraging community bicycling, whether for recreation, competition or commuting.

The synergy between GO!Durban Cycle Academy and Velosolutions came about in March 2018. At that time, the first Velosolutions Pump Track was built in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, in KwaDabeka, a municipality 30 minutes outside of Durban. The South African qualifiers for the first Red Bull Pump Track World Championships then took place in April 2018. Since then, the track has become a hub for cycling in the community.

The team

Ongezo Mini (16)
"I love cycling because it has taught me that I can make a living from what I thought was just a hobby. I think it's important that more girls take up cycling because we don't have enough black girls in the sport. It will also help them not to do bad things. I want to travel the world as a cyclist and represent my team GO! Representing Durban, my city and also my country South Africa."

Amahle Cane (14)
"I love cycling because it keeps me fit and flexible. I like the bike park because it's the place where I spend time with my friends when I'm not at home doing chores. I think it's important for girls in my community to join our cycling academy because they will learn new skills like commitment, communication and life skills that will guide them in their life journey. It will also motivate them to keep their grades in school as high as I do."

Nomfundo Mtshali (16)
"I came into contact with a bicycle when I was four years old, and I taught myself how to ride it back then. I love it because it gives me a healthy lifestyle and the opportunity to meet different people, and I think other girls should do the same so they can enjoy it too and stay off the streets. I want to be a professional cyclist and represent my country one day."

Aphiwe Goge (12)
"When I'm on my bike, I feel fearless, happy and powerful, like I can conquer the world. I think more girls should come and join the GO! Durban Cycling Academy because at the bike park we don't just learn mountain biking, there are other things like academic courses where we learn different values and it even helps us with our school work. When I grow up, I want to become a professional cyclist and pass on my cycling skills to future cyclists."

www.pumpforpeace.com/velosolutions-izimbali