No easy road to career as pro cyclist

That inspired him to start cycling and yesterday the 22-year-old, who hails from Mthatha, jetted off to Italy, where he will spend nine months training as a professional rider.

Jim is a member of the Professional Continental Team, competing for Team MTN-Qhubeka in European cycle events. His first challenge will be the Albert Archterhes Pet Ronde van Drenthe in the Netherlands at the weekend, followed by the Nokere Koerse in Belgium on Wednesday.