So sorry to hear about Alan, I grew up in SA and Alan was my 'idol'!
RIP Alan, Love to all his family - God Bless.
Cherie Pridham
I also have a message from Alan, Ann and Colin Sturgess below:
Alan van Heerden
We met Alan van Heerden in Deale and Huth's shop in Johannesburg ,this was in 1975. Colin 6 -1/2 and I were wandering around Johannesburg trying to find a proper bike shop,as soon as we entered ,we were greeted by Alan . He chatted to us and discovered that we were going to be living only minutes from his and his parents house and immediately invited us round to meet everyone and we were included in all sorts of cycling activities and social evenings at their house.
We soon discovered that Alan was South Africas best ever road man ,he was never given the opportunity to ride in World Championships or Olympics . He lived and raced in Belgium and won a stage in the Giro d'Italia .
In fact when Colin lived in Belgium he lived in the same flat that had been used by Alan and a number of the occupants remembered Alan.
He was a great track man winning the National pursuit on a number of occasions , on road or track Alan was always a force to be reckoned with and always likely to be the winner of most events he competed in .
His later non cycling years were we understand troubled but we shall always remember Alan as he was when we knew him 1975-1985, our years in South Africa and no doubt the inspiration of seeing Alan racing and winning will have helped Colin to his Worlds win in 1989.
To be killed in such a tragic way is a terrible shame.
God rest your soul Alan,
and condolences to your family.
from your friends Ann, Alan and Colin Sturgess
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