Hinz reaches cycling dream 

Barely 10 years after starting to cycle, Melissa Hinz yesterday reached the pinnacle when she won a bronze medal at the Africa Continental Championships in Eldoret, Kenya.

Competing in the women’s elite individual time trial, Hinz won the bronze medal after completing the 22,5km course in 33 minutes, 38 seconds, at an average speed of 40,13km/h.

Lucy Young of South Africa won the gold medal in 31:32, while her compatriot Ashleigh Moolman won silver in 32:04. Hinz pipped fourth-placed Lucie De Marigny-Lagesse of Mauritius by 21 seconds to the bronze medal.

Hinz yesterday told The Namibian she was emotional but elated.

“I’m quite emotional now and I’m really happy that I decided to come to the African Champs. The dates came out so late that I almost didn’t come but I knew I had to chase my dream to try and medal at the Africa Champs,” she said.

“I’m one of the older riders, so I was hoping to get a medal and I knew that I stood a better chance of getting a medal in the individual time trial than I do in the road race, so I just gave it my best. It means a lot to me because this is my last year as an elite cyclist and I’ll be moving into another age category next year,” she added.

Hinz said the she had to sacrifice a lot to reach her dream.

“I had to sacrifice a lot in terms of family time – it makes me quite emotional because they sit at home and always wait for me to finish riding my bike. But my son is in Grade 1 now, so I want to spend more time with my family,” she said.

“Also, being on the roads in Namibia is quite dangerous, and you always put your life at risk on the tar roads, so I’ll be focusing more on mountain-bike racing and gravel road riding next year,” she added.

“It’s not easy being a mum and juggling riding as an elite cyclist, and travelling and everything, and then still to get a medal as well. I think it takes a lot of grit and self-belief to chase your dreams,” she said.

Hinz’ achievement is all the more remarkable bearing in mind that she started cycling less than 10 years ago, and she’s one of the oldest cyclists in the field at the age of 39.

“I never dreamt of coming this far in such a short time. I only got a bike when I was 30 years old, when my husband bought my very first bike for me. I started off as a triathlete and only transitioned to pure cycling four years ago, so I’m very proud to have won a medal in such a short time,” she said.

Hinz will also compete in the Elite Women’s road race on Saturday, but was not too optimistic about her chances of winning another medal.

“The route doesn’t suit me, it’s quite hilly and a climber’s route, but I will give it my very best. Then I’ll be flying home on Sunday to reunite with my family, and aim to enjoy cycling in a different way – I think there’s a time for everything,” she added.