blog

A 7 year dream comes True !!

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:00:52 +0100

Many people dont know this but I have had the dream of becoming Head Boy ever since grade 4, after going to Willowridge Ridge with a friend and seeing the head boy , (name I can not remember) I decided I wanted to be that guy ! , Leading a school.
Well after three high schools , Hillcrest High School was my final stop. Being new I still decided to give it a go, reasons being Hillcrest has a vibe to it that is indescribably , the very first day I walked onto the school grounds I felt welcome, and because of that I said It would be a honor to run for Head Boy. Another reason being is I found out in the last few years that my family started the Hillcrest,Gillitts area The Halsted Family (My Moms Side) married into the Gillitts Family and the Estate was left to the Halsted Family, So I though What A honor it would be to become Head Boy on my family grounds.

So on the 12th of November I was announced Head Boy for 2012 , which is and has been a great honor so far , as I work with an Amazing Prefect body and great teacher basis.
I am looking forward to 2012 and to chance to live out my dream.

My World Numbers !! For the Road World Touring Cup

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:45:50 +0100

Circus Circus PMB

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:42:07 +0100

News Paper Article

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:38:18 +0100

My Interview With Hill Top News Paper leading up to this weekends COY7 (International conference of youth) On Climate Control In Durban

Road Bike

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:31:42 +0100

World Road Touring Cup - South Africa

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:48:15 +0100

UCI World Road Touring Cup - 29 & 30 October 2011

After hearing that South Africa will be hosting the Road Touring WC, I had to enter. With my entry in I was extremely fortunate to have Team Owner Marty, Former South African Vet Champ (2009), Train me leading up to the event.

The WC consisted of a 27km Time Trial and a 124 Main event the next day.

So the day arrived, it was time to Time Trial! , Feeling confident I entered the starting ramp. TT helmet hugging my back, Skin Suit Tight and my mind dialled I was off, the wind was pumping and keeping an avg of 45km/h was looking ludicrous. Anyway after the hell of a climb I descended into the finished , at this point I got tunnel vision, my legs burning and the sound on heart beat carried me across the line in a time of 47min , 32sec, and a placing of 7^th, which isn’t that bad for my first World Cup event and First Time Trial.

Sadly I got rather ill after the race and could not compete the next day.

Special thanks must go to team owner Marty for training me and to Iain Don-Wauchope, my employer from Mountain Splendour for the use of his TT aero carbon wheels.

2011 Road Race Report

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:44:33 +0100

Road

Lassen Series:

This year Marked my first year in road racing with only a few races under my belt it has been enough to change my view on cycling. The KZN Lassen road series is a circuit event, with 7 gruelling laps each 10 or so Kilometres. Racing against the elites and KZN’s top junior rides has been an eye opener to speed.

My first race I didn't place due to registration problems, which was no stress, as I used it as a indicator to see where I should be working towards. Stage 9 of the lassen series was my time to make a name for myself in road racing. So with a road tube taped to my seat post like a typical Mountain Biker off I was, the pace was Hot and after lap 3 I got popped. But after riding on the dark side for a lap or so I began to make my way back-up and in a Hill-Climb Sprint with good friend Brad Schuit, I managed to pull in a 3^rd , my first KZN podium.

A special Thank-you needs to go to my, Team Marty Cycles For all the support throughout the series.

Interview with Bikepure.Org

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:40:18 +0100

Yolande Pretorius, One of BikePure’s Ambassadors met recently with David De Backer, a massive young talent from Pietermaritzburg – Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa. With a passion for mountain biking, we know he is entering a profession of increasing honesty and honour.

You have a passion for mountain biking, where did your passion for this sport come from?

My passion for mountain biking started in August 2008 after being

invited to join an out ride. After my first 30km ride I was hooked,

broken but hooked and have been going strong ever since.

What inspired you to become a mountain biker?

Its wasn’t really a case of needing inspiration, it was mainly the

people involved in the sport. I was really lucky to have joined Team

Adrenaline Cycles after moving to Natal. The team really helped me

grow as a cyclist as supported me through the first two years of my

career.

Do you remember you first win?

I can most defiantly remember my first win, it was the 2009 Toti 69er

which was also my first road race.

Mountain biking is a physical and mental sport, give us a little insight into your specific workouts you do?

I believe 80% of your training is mental, your mind is a very powerful

tool in the sense that it keeps you focused and positive. The other 20

% is of course physical, I am a strong believer in cross training as

well as the normal speed and endurance Training. Core work is another

important aspect involved in my training. A strong core means

increased power output as well as greater control over the bike.

Who do you think have a positive influence on your cycling?

Yes I do believe I have a positive influence on cycling. I have

captained the South African high school champ team as well as Team

Adrenaline Cycles all in past two years.

Recently mountain biking is becoming a popular sport in South Africa, what do you think is the reason for this?

I believe the reason for mountain biking becoming popular in South

Africa is due to our enjoyment of the outdoors. Mountain Biking is one

way to enjoy the outdoors as well as catering for world class racing

venues.

Cycling South Africa recently launched the High Performance Program to protect the future world champions/Olympic gold medalist and with our talented cyclists in the country, what’s your views on this program and will we see the likes of Luke Roberts or Brendon Davids at the 2020 Olympic Games?

Regards to the High Performance project. I believe it is major step

forward in becoming a stronger and more developed cycling fraternity.

The development of world class athletes is certain with the various

H.P centres. Do Brendon Davids and Luke Roberts stand a chance for

2020 Olympics? I believe both of these Riders are extremely talented

and will go far with their careers.

If you had to choose between marathon or cross country racing, which one would you choose and why?

I prefer Cross-Country and the adrenaline rush that comes with it.

Cross-Country offers great technical section and steep power climbs

which suit my style of riding.

What is your option on drug use in the pro peloton?

This has been a very out spoken topic amongst cyclist for some time. I

believe there is nothing worse than a professional athlete or any

other athlete using performance enhancing drug to achieve results.

Why is the anti doping movement important to you?

Yes most defiantly.

With the mountain bike season finally arrived, what is the next event you will participate in?

My next races will be the Karkloof Classic on the 10th of April. With

the backing of my new sponsors Senqu, Ryders Eyewear and Rush Sports

it will defiantly be a great session.

Thanks David for spending some time with the Bike Pure team. From all of us, we wish you all of the best with the rest of the mountain bike season.

Interview taken from : http://bikepure.org/2011/03/david-de-backer-team-senqu%E2%80%93ryder-eyewear-interview/

UCI Karkloof Classic 2011

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:58:37 +0100

UCI Karkloof Classic 2011

The 10^{th of} April Marked a big race day in the Race calendar, it was time for the none other than the Karkloof Classic - Sponsored by Mr Price and Aquella water. With Trails built by Hylton turvey, a well respected trail builder in Kzn.

But this year was a little different with UCI rating Karkloof classic 2011 it meant a few thing, Top Riders, Crazy Trails and one hell of an event!

The send off was a cold one with a classic midlands greeting, but 5km in and jackets were off and the race was on. Dropping out of first section of manicured singletrack we were sent on the wrong route and found it strange meeting up with the pro riders. The next 10km was on in the hot seat sitting with the bunch trying to catch up to the main back, but the toll of Mine Shaft (super long, steep climb) took effect. The remainder of the race was packed with mind blowing singletrack, steep climbs and what a scheme to be some of the greatest riding in South Africa, this was not all though, I had two of the strangest punchers ever, my tires had been seated for 3 months, and there were no slits or holes, so three bombs later and I was on my way. The last 10 km tighten the belt, running out of water is one thing but dealing with cramp in another. 2 Km from the line just as I thought thing couldn’t get any worse my tire gave up the ghost, so had a hard run across the line to finish 3^Rd junior man respectively to Brad Schuit in 2^nd and Good Mate Patrick Belton for the win.

Thanx to all my Sponsors for the support on the Day

Team Senqu

Ryders Eyewear

Rush Sports

Morewood Bikes

National #1 Cascades

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:40:51 +0100

What must be the most roughest conditions i have raced in, turned out to be a very interesting day ! The week leading up the the first national race at Cascades was a wet one , with rain pouring down nearly every day.

On race day , conditions turned dirty with the rain starting to come down. The track was slippery to the extent turning a corner at speed meant crashing ! , so with a combination of running and sliding sideways on the bike, the race was a bit of a gamble with conditions. After falling a few time I ended in 13th place.To what was a very interesting race.