TWO South African cyclists’ first overseas experience may have paved the way for greater success in a sport that seldom sees black participants in mountain-bike racing.

Azukile Simayile and Siphosenkosi Madolo, who were this year’s winners of the inaugural Cape Epic development jersey, competed in the eight-day TransAlp race in Germany last week.

The pair’s best result in the race was a 48th place stage finish with a time of 2hours 50 minutes in stage four. The riders worked their way up from 110th on stage one and at the end of stage eight ended with a final ranking of 71.

“The highlights in the TransAlp were definitely the climbs, the beauty of the mountain and to be riding in snow. The Cape Epic is much more challenging that the TransAlp, and also the level of competition is higher on the Cape Epic,” said 18-year-old Simayile.

The riders believe that their experience in the overseas race will help them in their preparations for the next edition of the Cape Epic. Madolo, 21, said: “There were some very long climbs, which will definitely help us to climb better next year.”

Both riders hail from Cape Town and will now shift focus to finish their schooling. Madolo is completing his matric, while Simayile is in Grade 11.