Cycling: 11th Indian Ocean Island Games – Madagascar |21 June 2023

Team Seychelles at the Škoda Tour de Maurice (Photo: Contributed)

Team Seychelles building up strength at South African training camp

A podium-finish at the 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games 2023 scheduled to take place in Madagascar from August 23 to September 3 is the ultimate target for our national cycling selection, presently on a training camp in South Africa.

Based at the World Cycling Centre in Western Cape, the selection has entered its second month of training, having competed at the Škoda Tour de Maurice, and taking part in several races in South Africa.

The cyclists attending the training camp are Ahmad Arissol, Mario Ernesta, Stephane Belle, Jahdel Gabriel, and Julian Pool.

Speaking to Sports NATION via video call, Arissol who is in charge of the group, said they have all adapted well, and are taking the training very seriously.

He said their priority is to build up maximum strength, while the races boost their programme.

He said, even if they are not winning, it is not important since their target is to train and improve their performance, and not competition.

At the Škoda Tour de Maurice, which was a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Pro 2 Series, the Seychelles selection finished 13th out of 16 teams.

The UCI Pro Series is the second tier men's elite road cycling tour inaugurated in 2020.

The series is placed below the UCI World Tour, but above the various regional UCI Continental Circuits.

Arissol said, based on the way their training is going, especially with the level of intensity, they are hopeful in achieving their target which a podium finish in Madagascar.

Roland Duval