I made a mistake – cyclist Herman Fouche
Dis-Chem Ride for Sight winner and Cape Argus champion Herman Fouche, from Boksburg, took time out from his busy schedule to chat with the Advertise
He discusses the Cape Town motorist’s attack by cyclists, his training programme and his two-year doping ban.
Having started cycling at a tender age of 12, Fouche began his career as a professional cyclist with Konica Minolta amid winning the 2005 Amashova National Classic as an 18-year-old.
He went from strength-to-strength from them, winning the 94.7 Cycle Challenge in 2007 before triumphing in The Fast One and the Emperors Palace cycle events (both 2009).
His 2014 Ride for Sight win preceded his victory in the 2013 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.
Asked which of his major races was the most satisfying to win, Fouche says: “It took me three attempts to win the Cape Argus, and when I did eventually win it, it was ‘wow!’.”
“And because it’s one of the biggest cycling events in the world, I would say winning it was the most satisfying.”
Fouche joined Team Bonitas in January 2012, and has nothing but praise for his team.
“The boss, Malcom Lange, knows exactly what cycling is about; my manager, Barry Austin has been very good to me and everything about the team is well-organised and run professionally. They know how to win.”
Having virtually won all there is to win in cycling in the country, the 26-year-old said he will not rest on his laurels.
“Cycling is my job, and I still want to improve. There are still more races to be won and there’s still my profile to further build.
“I want people to remember my name in the cycling world.”
Fouche trains every weekday bar Monday, which he uses as his rest day. His weekly training regimen also includes two sessions in the gym. Tuesdays are his “heart sessions” where he focuses on a lot of sprinting on the track.
Wednesdays are long team rides, which see him ride for approximately five hours with teammates and Thursdays include more sprints and a motorbike session, where he rides behind and tries to keep up with the motorcycle.
“The motorbike session is to improve your leg speed,” he explains.
“Fridays, we (his team) have what we call a Coffee Short Ride for about an hour. It’s an easy ride where you have coffee with a mate when you’re done, hence, the name.
“Saturdays are short heart races for about two hours to get the legs ready if there’s a race on the Sunday.”
When asked how he prepares for major races, Fouche adds: “I try not to think of it as a major race; I look at it as any other race, because that settles the nerves and helps me keep my focus. I also focus more on my diet during race weeks, which includes fish, pasta and chicken.”
Days before the beginning of the Argus Tour, a road rage incident where cyclists attacked a motorist in Cape Town made headlines and Fouche said that it is vital for motorists and cyclists to respect each other.
“We (professional cyclists) virtually spend every day on the road. Some cyclists train on weekends in groups and think they own the road.
“In order for motorists to respect you, you have to respect them. We don’t own the road and they (motorists) don’t own the road; it’s just a matter of always remaining calm.”
Disgraced US cyclist, Lance Armstrong admitted to doping in January 2013 in a television interview conducted by Oprah Winfrey, with the debacle compromising the sport’s credibility.
Asked about his opinion on whether or not cycling is on mend, Fouche explains: “It takes years to build something and just a second to break it. You get people on the streets telling you not to be like Lance (Armstrong), which can get frustrating because not every cyclist is like Lance.
“The world anti-doping system is getting stricter and better so the sport is getting cleaner.
“But with money involved in sports, there’ll always be someone who tries to stay ahead.”
On his own two-year ban for doping in 2009, Fouche admitts that being away from competition for two years had taught him a lesson.
“When you’re young, you make mistakes that you’ll suffer from for the rest of your life. I made that mistake, and that’s why I feel so strongly about it (doping).
“I will never go down that road again, and I would not advise anyone to go through it. Those two years taught me a lot, and made me become a man.
“However, it’s behind me now and I’ve moved on, but I’m not going to hide it. I made a mistake, but I’m back and I can confirm that I’m 100 per cent clean.”
