Zim cyclists gun for Olympics

18 February 2016

The duo warmed up to the championships in style by finishing among the top five riders during a meet in Benoni, South Africa at the weekend.

The former Hellenic Academy student, Davidson, finished in fourth place while Hyslop — formerly with Peterhouse — was in fifth place during the level one race.

Cycling Zimbabwe coach Wayne Davidson said he was impressed with the results from the two which vindicates their attachment at South Africa’s High Performance Centre in Potchefstroom.

“All the top South African girls were there, including the current Africa Champion Heidi Dalton, Lynette Birger and Lianne Kanchelhoffer; these three with the two Zimbabwean girls engineered the break of the day and our local girls were right in the winning break all day,” Davidson told the Daily News yesterday.

“This is a very impressive result and stands them in good stead for the Africa Champs next week where they hope to earn Olympic Qualification places.”

A five-member team will travel to the continental showdown in Casablanca.

Another fine female rider Helen Mitchell stayed behind while carrying out her preparations in the capital together with the male counterparts Chad Scallan and Shine Doko making up the rest of the Zimbabwe team for the championships.

“She’s been training in Harare — she chose not to go to the High Performance Centre camp but raced in Harare last weekend and she is in good form,” Davidson said on Mitchell’s state of preparedness.

“Without doubt the ladies stand the best chance — either Davidson or Mitchell could do it for us — and if they can combine with Hyslop to outsmart the South African ladies then we have a good chance here (Casablanca).”