Ayabonga Ophila- GT/Velokhaya/PPA

I was born in Makhaza section in Khayelitsha on 23 May 1991.

I study Local Government finance management through UNISA.

My dream for the future, besides being a professional cyclist, is to be a local government finance manager.

The person who inspires me most is Burry Stander.

I love listening to music.

My family members are my mom, my dad and my little brother.

I started cycling in 2005.

Cycling has taught me how to handle myself as a person and to learn discipline.

My biggest goal is to be selected for the national championships and going to race in Europe.

My biggest challenge was when I had an accident while I was training on the road. It is so hard to cycle on the road because of the motorists who think that as cyclists we do not have a right to use the road.

The kind of negativity people have towards cycling, especially in our communities, is a major challenge because every time we have to work on proving them wrong.

Being strong willed and knowing what you want in life is what keeps me going.

All I can say to other cyclists out there is to stay firm in what you believe in, persevere no matter what and keep training.

My favourite food is bread - just bread and butter.

I like watching Supercycling on TV.

I admire Alberto Contador and of course my manager Sipho Mona.

Profile date: July 2010