SPEEDY MUM!

WHEN CHERISE WILLEIT burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old, she did so in style – winning the biggest fun ride in the world, the 2008 Cape Town Cycle Tour.

- CHERISE WILLEIT

Since then she’s won it another four times; still a few shy of Anriette Schoeman’s record of seven, but with plenty of time, aged just 33, to nick a couple more. Even with her now-hectic life balancing motherhood and a career, with just enough training to sneak a big win every now and then.

Which she did at last October’s Amashova. And when we spoke she was time-managing her training, with another Cape Town Cycle Tour looming.

Amashova was a surprise…

Quite a big one! I’ve never won it as a professional. And for me, the beginning of last year was hectic; we moved back from Germany to South Africa, a big adjustment.

And I started working as well, and training just wasn’t a priority for a while. In the middle of the year I got my groove back a little, so it was really great to get a win I’d been looking for for so long. We [Willeit, Jo van der Winkel and Sonika Klopper] raced quite aggressively, and it paid off.

After Amashova, we did a few races – Ride Joburg was the big focus, but we got caught out in the wind. Going into it, I really thought I was done with racing, but I felt such a sparkle in Jozi. I’m so glad my sponsors agreed to run with us for another year.

Do you still train like a pro?

Ja… it really can’t be my top priority at the moment, with kids and so many changes. Last September I started my job with Cycling South Africa, and Thomas is in Grade 1 this year… so, not a lot of time; but when I can ride, it’s my escape, my passion, I get my sense of sanity.