Louis Trichardt younster on the way to MTB worlds

[The Guy in Pink]

With compliments of the Zoutpansberger: Kombo on his way to World Champs

Sport - Date: 28 May 2016

Written by: Isabel Venter / Viewed: 209

 

 

http://www.zoutnet.co.za/media/uploads/1/Page_Elements/Line_Blue.jpg

Local cycling star Kombo Bere of Louis Trichardt will soon get the chance to compare his skills to those of cyclists at international level.

Last week, this local cyclist received his official invite to represent Zimbabwe in the upcoming World MTB Championships as part of their mountain biking team. The world championships is set to take place at the Nove Mestro na Morave in the Czech Republic from 28 June until 3 July. It was not an easy feat as cyclists can participate by invitation only, after their UCI (world ranking) points have been scrutinized.

“I will represent Africa, not merely Zimbabwe or South Africa,” said the Grade 12 pupil of Louis Trichardt High School. “It is one of the greatest honours to get to represent your province and country at the highest level,” he added.

Not many know this about Kombo, but he was actually born in Zimbabwe. Shortly after his birth, his family came to South Africa and settled in Cape Town. His father is a professor at the University of Venda, and his mother is a stay-at-home mom who looks after his younger brother.

During 2013, the family relocated to Louis Trichardt. It was in this time, at the age of 15, that Kombo’s natural talent for cycling was discovered, and ever since  then Kombo has dominated the local cycling scene, clinching various podium places.

Apart from local accolades, Kombo also boasts other victories, such as being second overall during the Three Towers Stage Race in 2014, Limpopo U/18 mountain and road-bike champion (in the same year) and the 2015 U/18 Limpopo Champion for XCO mountain-bike and half-marathon racing.

Being selected to participate in the upcoming world championships as part a national team is certainly a dream come true for Kombo. One of his goals is to be able to participate in the 2020 World Olympic Games.

But how does he prepare for all this?

“Hard work, and then some more hard work,” was the simple answer from Kombo.

Apart from balancing a heavily loaded school curriculum, Kombo also follows a specially formulated training programme compiled by the South African Sport Institute. This entails two days a week in the school’s fitness centre with Felix Malan to strengthen his core.

A big part of his exercise programme is participating in local races. One such a race will be the upcoming Kremetart 175km one-day stage race. “Believe it or not, but the Kremetart will help Kombo’s fitness peak, so that he will be able to perform his best during the championships,” explained mentor and fellow trainer Stanley Thompson.   

Kombo will cycle in the Kremetart as part of the Limpopo Tac-Pulse Team, the first ever local pro-cycling team. After this, he will focus on finalizing last-minute details for his trip to Nove Mestro na Morave, for which he has a part of the funds necessary. But help and assistance are always welcome from local businesses and sponsors. Stanley can be contacted at Tel 082 493 3897 for more information on this.

[Vetseun]

Good luck Fella

[King_Crispy]

Can I sponsor him a pair of glasses?

[The Guy in Pink]

Can I sponsor him a pair of glasses?

You certainly Can. Get Hold Of Stanley Thompson, the club chairman @ 082 493 3897

[King_Crispy]

I'll gladly buy him a pair or 2 of glasses, but this is where the likes of Oakley etc should step in and offer their marketable stuff

[lerouc]

I'll gladly buy him a pair or 2 of glasses, but this is where the likes of Oakley etc should step in and offer their marketable stuff

Get the guys from ASG involved?

[TheJ]

I think he is pretty sorted in the sunglasses department.

 

[The Guy in Pink]

Guys, We Hubbers supported other  promising  riders such as Fire, whom we supported on several  campaigns.

I know Kombo and he is a very decent young man, worth of support. 

 

Here is a letter from Stanley Thompson who is trying to raise funds for Kombo.

 

 

 Kombo Bere Fund raising project:

As you all know Kombo has been selected to compete in the World Champs XCO in the Czech Rep.

He will be going at the end of June 2015 and requires your assistance with funding. The total cost of

his trip amounts to about R 40 000,00 without spending money, which will cater for his flights ,

accommodation , food, entry and Visa

He will freely display your company logo on al his electronic media feeds as well as kit supplied by

yourself, for the trip. This exposure for his career is priceless and a mega opportunity for one of our

own athletes to go to the highest level of competition.

SYCD will support him with all the funds ,but we still have to fund other top athletes in the Province

at the SA Nationals in July , so this will make it possible for your company to pay instalments to SYCD

at your capabilities.

Any amount will be fine as long as you can assist it will be highly appreciated.

lf you wish to donate to this worthy cause and making a young mans dreams come true , please

contact me or deposit into the following account. Every R1000 is a R 1000 less to find.

SYCD (Soutpansberg Youth Cycling Development)

FNB acc. no : 62513498130

Branch Code: 2601,49

Ref: Kombo Trip

Kind regards

Stanley Thompson

Coach and Co-Sponsor 

 

[King_Crispy]

I think he is pretty sorted in the sunglasses department.

 

 

Ok cool. Since he doesn't need my sunnies, I've donated R500 to the cause.Who else is in?

[The Guy in Pink]

Ok cool. Since he doesn't need my sunnies, I've donated R500 to the cause. Who else is in?

It goes without saying I'm in and as Juma & Co have once again done a rather good Job with the $/R exchange rate this month I can add a zero to King_Crispy amount.

[The Guy in Pink]

Development Cycling in the Soutpansberg is really working well. There are a group of guys who devote a lot of time and effort to the youngsters in the North.

This group meets in the forest twice a week, and these two pictures are from the them tackling the XCO course last week - resulting in only one bloody nose