Hard works pays off for young rider

Mirsab Jordan tried out other sports before discovering the joys of cycling.

Pelican Park junior cyclist, Mirsab Jordan, 18, is gearing up to represent South Africa at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Junior Track Cycling World Championships in Germany next month.

The race is one of the oldest track cycling events on the calendar and dates back to 1893.

Affectionately known as Black Lightning, Mirsab’s cycling journey started when he was 13 years old after teacher Igshaan Isaacs at Muhammadeyah Primary School in Wynberg, introduced him to the sport.

Mirsab earned his national colours earlier this year.

He is also the former SA under-16 and current under-19 track champ, has multiple Western Cape track podium finishes, and won a silver medal at the African continental track championships in January.

His style, skill and speed saw him crowned the Junior Men’s Keirin champion at the Bellville Velodrome earlier last month.

Mirsab said he excelled at athletics so his coach suggested he also try cycling.

“He said ‘why don’t you give cycling a try because you are a good runner, let’s see what you can do on a bike’.

“I agreed and when I started cycling it was just some other type of love because I had immediate passion for it.

“I did a couple of races and found out that I’m actually good at this so I stuck to cycling.

“I’ve done other sports such as soccer and cricket but nothing got me the way cycling got me,” he said.

“For the youngsters of today, you know you want to go out, to be with your friends and go to the movies.

“Sometimes you are not able to do it because training demands sacrifice, as does school work. So it’s really a tough schedule and I try to balance it between training, school work and sleep.”

Mirsab said he was inspired by world and SA champs Nolan Hoffman and Clint Hendricks.

He said he would love to represent South Africa at the Olympics, to be a pro rider representing SA at the World Tour, Tour De France, Giro d’Italia, Commonwealth Games and other world championships.

“Guys like that have already been to the Olympics and have represented SA at the Commonwealth Games, they have been to world championships and Nolan actually came second.”

Mirsab needs about R37 300 to cover the costs of accommodation, flights and team management for the trip to Germany.

The Jordan’s have been hosting food stalls every weekend to raise the funds.

To support Mirsab’s backabuddy campaign, visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/mirsab-jordan