Zanele Tshoko - Velokhaya/Pick n Pay Team

Zanele will be competing in the 2011 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.

ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Age: 17 (Turning 18 in February 2011)
Date of birth: 15 February 1993
Where do you live: Khayelitsha
Where were you born: Khayelitsha, Cape Town
Your family - how many brothers and sisters, your parents: My mom and dad, my brother and three sisters
Your University: University of the Western Cape - I am currently studying Sports Science

ABOUT CYCLING
When did you start cycling: In 2005
What cycling programme are you currently participating in at the Life Cycling Academy: The Pick n Pay Ascends Excellence Programme.
What is your biggest achievement in cycling: I won 2nd place - Time Trials - in the South African Championships in 2009 and 3rd place in the Road category. I was also one of six Velokhaya cyclists (and the only female cyclist) to be invited to the Tour de France in 2007 to raise awareness for Velokhaya and the LCA. In May 2008 as an U/16 I took third place in the Time Trial at the SA Championships in East London. In 2008 I also won a gold medal in the WP Road and Time Trial Championships and was awarded the WP Cycling Association's Female Cyclist of the Year in 2007.
Other achievements - school etc: I am proud of passing Grade 12.
When do you practice, how many days in a week and hours in a day: From Tuesdays to Fridays. Two hours a day (from 16:00 - 18:00). On weekends I practice by going on long rides of four to six hours. Monday is my rest day.
What do you like most about cycling: I enjoy riding a bike and the exercise and fitness involved with cycling.
Do you participate in any other sport other than cycling: No.
What has cycling taught you: Discipline, respect and how to communicate with other people. Cycling has also helped me a lot because it keeps me busy and I do not have time to wonder around bored and not knowing what to do.
What are the dreams for your future: To study and finish my degree and also to be a cyclist in one of SA's top cycling teams. My dream is to be cycling at the highest level. Who is the person you admire most in cycling: Luthando Kaka, the South African cyclist who started out at the Life Cycling Academy and who is now riding for one of South Africa's top cycling teams in Johannesburg.
How do your parents feel about your involvement in cycling: My parents are supportive and they like what I do.
What attracts you to this sport as a girl - compared to other sports: I used to see cyclists passing by my house and I would watch them passing and I really had a desire to cycle one day so when the Safe Cycling program was introduced at my school, I joined immediately.
Do you think the girls can be as strong as the boys: Yes, then again it depends on who you are and what you want to achieve. If you know what you want and work as hard, you can be at the same level as boys.

ABOUT CYCLING IN THE 2011 CAPE ARGUS PICK N PAY CYCLE TOUR
You will be competing in the 2011 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour - have you competed before? If so how many times? I started participating in 2006, although I have not been participating as a pro.

CHALLENGES
Are there any difficult obstacles faced to achieve your goals in cycling: Negativity of some people in our community. Cycling is not a well known sport in our township so people can be very negative but it's about telling myself that I will do whatever I can do to achieve my dreams.
Your day-to-day challenges - does your family support you etc: My family supports me and one can eliminate challenges especially in the family by managing one's time wisely and that is what I do. My practices do not clash with my day to day chores and even with my studies - it's all about time management.

GENERAL
Your favourite food: Spaghetti bolognaise and also chicken.
Your favourite drink: Nothing in particular (but definitely nothing strong!).
The person you admire most outside cycling and why: My sister, she is more like me in many ways and we do click together just like that.
What are your future goals and plans? To be more involved in sport.

Profile date: February, 2011