Heart transplant duo takes on sani2c

HISTORY will be made at this year's KAP sani2c MTB Challenge as two heart transplant recipients join hundreds of cyclists in one of South Africa's most iconic stage races.

- WENDY JASSON DA COSTA

Together, Billy Macleod, 56, and Pedro Basson, 20, will prove that with heart literally and figuratively - no mountain is too high to climb. The two are part of the four-member group called Team Change of Heart. Together with their experienced cycling partners Steph Bester, CEO of AllLife, and long-time cycling companion Guy Dudley, they'll be riding to inspire.

Last year Macleod, also a cancer survivor, became the first heart transplant recipient to enter the KAP sani2c, a 265km cycle challenge which takes place over three days from the Southern Drakensberg to Scottburgh on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

The veteran cyclist and triathlete participated at all levels of sport for many years. Then in 2014 he fell ill and was eventually told that he only had two weeks to live. At the same time his cardiologist also discovered he had cancer.

“I was tired and exhausted and just assumed I was overtraining.”

Doctors discovered that he had heart problems, caused by sarcoidosis. Several complications later he received a heart transplant which changed his life.

“I could never compete at the level where I competed before, but the fact that I can actually walk to any place is quite a big thing.

“For me it’s important to show people the success of a transplant.”