Velokhaya cyclist Songezo Jim heads for Europe

Cape Town, March 17, 2010

Khayelitsha's hottest new cycling talent, Team GT Velokhaya PPA's Songezo Jim, is the only Under 23 Cape Town-based rider in the South African nine-man team to compete in the 2010 Nations Cup, which will be held in Europe in March and April.

Jim has been selected to compete in Europe for five weeks alongside Christopher Jennings, Johann van Zyl, Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Paul van Zweel, JC Nel, Shaun-Nick Bester, Michael Robinson and a soon to be announced ninth rider.

Barry Austin's Under 23 national cycling team to Europe has a busy schedule; the team's itinerary includes participation in the GP du Portugal from 26 - 28 March, the Tour de Flanders on 10 April in Belgium, the ZLM Tour in the Netherlands on 17 April and the Giro delle Regionni in Italy from 26 April to 1 May.

The opportunity to compete in Europe is a dream come true for 19 year old Jim, whose strong performances in recent events, including the 2010 Giro del Capo, caught the attention of selectors. This will be Jim's second trip to Europe after travelling to the Tour de France in 2008 as part of a Velokhaya delegation to raise funds for the building of the Velokhaya BMX Oval.

According to Velokhaya and Life Cycling Academy CEO, Glyn Broomberg: "Songezo is a very talented, focused cyclist who is determined to make South Africa proud by performing at his peak within the national team. He is very keen to make a name for himself as a cyclist and is both excited and nervous about the opportunity to compete internationally for the first time. The Life Cycling Academy is delighted that his talent has been recognised by the national selectors; his selection also proves that the LCA is achieving its goals of preparing our athletes for international competition.

"Songezo's selection gives significant credibility to the LCA's cycling programmes and our organisation as a sports transformation organisation that is achieving its aims and objectives despite receiving no support from government or national sporting bodies such as Sascoc."

While Jim's immediate future looks bright, the future of the LCA's competitive cycling programme - and Jim's cycling team - hangs in the balance. The LCA is still hoping to find a new sponsor to secure the continuation of South Africa's only, and most successful, 'all-black' road cycling team.

PHOTOS: Click here for a selection of photos of Songezo Jim.