Winning through biking
A fierce competitor with big dreams, Michelle Vorster started cycling late in life but her dream of becoming an elite athlete took over.
Michelle Vorster is proof that through determination dreams can come true. Michelle is juggling mountain biking, raising three young children and being a wife. Most women would have given up cycling but she persevered and at the age of 38 won the African Continental MTB XCO Championships, the first for African women.
Michelle was born and raised in Windhoek, matriculating at Academia High School. Although she played netball and did athletics at school, she was never good at any of that.
She says that she is a late bloomer when it comes to mountain biking as she entered the sport at the age of 35.
In 2010 Michelle tried her hand at triathlons but never really got going. At that time she lived in East London, South Africa. When she moved to Namibia in 2013, a couple of friends invited her to join them on a mountain bike ride on a farm near Windhoek. “It seemed like everyone was riding mountain bikes and I also wanted to try it out.
“So, I went on this ride with my new 26-inch bike. On that day, I fell off the bike a couple of times, but I also fell in love with riding my mountain bike,” she said.
The biker says that mountain biking is different from road cycling as the terrain is rough, which means it demands more concentration, upper body strength and technical skills.
This makes her training intense. “Firstly, it depends what type of race I will be competing in. But generally my riding hours are between 12 and 16 hours a week, plus I go to gym three times a week. Then there are technical training sessions during certain parts of the season and of course a strict eating plan which I need to follow,” she says.
Despite the hard work she puts in preparation, Michelle says that riding gives her freedom. It is her time to talk to God and to explore the beautiful scenery she comes across. “It is as close to nature as I can get. It is also the time I get to spend with my family and to meet new friends,” Michelle explains.
Talking about her achievements with SportWrap Michelle mentioned that claiming the fifth position at the ABSA Cape and reaching her dream of competing at the Olympic Games in Rio for Namibia, would top her list.
“My goal for the year was to do well at the ABSA Cape Epic which is dubbed the “Tour de France” of mountain biking. It is the toughest and the most prestigious mountain bike race in the World. We aimed to finish as the top African team and top five overall, which we achieved. To top it off, we had a glorious podium finish on the Queen Stage,” Michelle said proudly.
But all those achievements are done and dusted and her focus now is on the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia where she plans on scooping a medal.
One on one with SportWrap
Would you describe mountain biking as a dangerous sport?
Every sport has its injuries. If it wasn't dangerous, it wouldn't rush the adrenaline and the fun factor will be out the window.
Can one make a living in Namibia though competitive mountain biking?
No, although Namibia has amazing races and prize money, it generally only covers your cost to the next event or race. I don't think sport as a “job” is seen as a legitimate way of earning a living in Namibia. But, I do believe there are opportunities to employ sportsmen and women to play a major role as marketing people in any company.
Mountain biking is an expensive sport, I have been blessed with amazing sponsors: Scott Bikes, BRG, PowerBar and KIA.
How do you manage with gear?
Mountain biking is very expensive but I am thankful to Das Bike Shop who saw potential in me at an early stage and helped me with discounts on equipment. My husband sponsored most of my bikes and expenses.
However, in November 2016 Scott Bikes, through Cymot, appointed me as their brand ambassador for Namibia – a role I cherish and am very thankful for.
How can we grow women in sport?
Women in my opinion do things for enjoyment and because they are passionate about it, this is where it must start through fun and passion.
What in your opinion is holding females back from biking?
I know there are many females that a scared of falling, but I really want to encourage them to face it, because you will find a sense of freedom and build courage to maybe face other, bigger fears.
How would you like to be remembered?
As Michelle Vorster who enjoys what she does with her whole heart.
Michelle's titles
Namibia National MTB Marathon Champion: 2017, 2016 and 2015. Namibia National MTB XCO Champion; 2016 and 2015.
Third place holder in the SA Cup XCO Series in Bloemfontein, May 2017.
ABSA Cape Epic UCI CAT Women, 2017: 5th place.
Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro in 2016: 26thposition.
World Championships MTB XCO, Czech Republic, 2016: 49th position. World Cup MTB XCO, Switzerland July 2016: 48th position.
It seems like her achievements will continue to pile up as she has no plans to retire soon.
Limba Mupetami
Michelle was born and raised in Windhoek, matriculating at Academia High School. Although she played netball and did athletics at school, she was never good at any of that.
She says that she is a late bloomer when it comes to mountain biking as she entered the sport at the age of 35.
In 2010 Michelle tried her hand at triathlons but never really got going. At that time she lived in East London, South Africa. When she moved to Namibia in 2013, a couple of friends invited her to join them on a mountain bike ride on a farm near Windhoek. “It seemed like everyone was riding mountain bikes and I also wanted to try it out.
“So, I went on this ride with my new 26-inch bike. On that day, I fell off the bike a couple of times, but I also fell in love with riding my mountain bike,” she said.
The biker says that mountain biking is different from road cycling as the terrain is rough, which means it demands more concentration, upper body strength and technical skills.
This makes her training intense. “Firstly, it depends what type of race I will be competing in. But generally my riding hours are between 12 and 16 hours a week, plus I go to gym three times a week. Then there are technical training sessions during certain parts of the season and of course a strict eating plan which I need to follow,” she says.
Despite the hard work she puts in preparation, Michelle says that riding gives her freedom. It is her time to talk to God and to explore the beautiful scenery she comes across. “It is as close to nature as I can get. It is also the time I get to spend with my family and to meet new friends,” Michelle explains.
Talking about her achievements with SportWrap Michelle mentioned that claiming the fifth position at the ABSA Cape and reaching her dream of competing at the Olympic Games in Rio for Namibia, would top her list.
“My goal for the year was to do well at the ABSA Cape Epic which is dubbed the “Tour de France” of mountain biking. It is the toughest and the most prestigious mountain bike race in the World. We aimed to finish as the top African team and top five overall, which we achieved. To top it off, we had a glorious podium finish on the Queen Stage,” Michelle said proudly.
But all those achievements are done and dusted and her focus now is on the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia where she plans on scooping a medal.
One on one with SportWrap
Would you describe mountain biking as a dangerous sport?
Every sport has its injuries. If it wasn't dangerous, it wouldn't rush the adrenaline and the fun factor will be out the window.
Can one make a living in Namibia though competitive mountain biking?
No, although Namibia has amazing races and prize money, it generally only covers your cost to the next event or race. I don't think sport as a “job” is seen as a legitimate way of earning a living in Namibia. But, I do believe there are opportunities to employ sportsmen and women to play a major role as marketing people in any company.
Mountain biking is an expensive sport, I have been blessed with amazing sponsors: Scott Bikes, BRG, PowerBar and KIA.
How do you manage with gear?
Mountain biking is very expensive but I am thankful to Das Bike Shop who saw potential in me at an early stage and helped me with discounts on equipment. My husband sponsored most of my bikes and expenses.
However, in November 2016 Scott Bikes, through Cymot, appointed me as their brand ambassador for Namibia – a role I cherish and am very thankful for.
How can we grow women in sport?
Women in my opinion do things for enjoyment and because they are passionate about it, this is where it must start through fun and passion.
What in your opinion is holding females back from biking?
I know there are many females that a scared of falling, but I really want to encourage them to face it, because you will find a sense of freedom and build courage to maybe face other, bigger fears.
How would you like to be remembered?
As Michelle Vorster who enjoys what she does with her whole heart.
Michelle's titles
Namibia National MTB Marathon Champion: 2017, 2016 and 2015. Namibia National MTB XCO Champion; 2016 and 2015.
Third place holder in the SA Cup XCO Series in Bloemfontein, May 2017.
ABSA Cape Epic UCI CAT Women, 2017: 5th place.
Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro in 2016: 26thposition.
World Championships MTB XCO, Czech Republic, 2016: 49th position. World Cup MTB XCO, Switzerland July 2016: 48th position.
It seems like her achievements will continue to pile up as she has no plans to retire soon.
Limba Mupetami
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