Shaun Peschl is a man with a vision. The former professional cyclist has a heart to nurture up-and-coming talent through GO!Durban Cycle Academy, established a decade ago and now operating at six sites around Ethekwini. The cycling-development programme gives youngsters not only the chance to grow their skills on the two-wheelers, but also opportunities to up their academic grades. Shaun explained: “The sites are seen by the communities as safe spaces where young people can go after school, but we see them as far more. Each site has a pair of trainers to show the youngsters how to improve their cycling skills and there are classrooms where volunteer teachers help youngsters with their homework, particularly in the areas of Maths and English.
Shaun, through Peschlsports, is presenting the 2027 edition of the iconic aQuellé Tour Durban and commented that he would be delighted to see some of the Academy’s up-and-coming pedallers taking part. The Wentworth Bike Park recently received two bikes which had been anonymously donated to the Domino Foundation’s Babies’ Home along with essentials for its small residents, like diapers and formula. Shaun chuckled when he noted that he was delighted when Domino, Tour Durban’s beneficiary, felt the Academy would be able to make better use of the racers than the babies.
Shaun will be at Domino’s stand at the Great Outdoors Expo on 14 and 15 November which is being touted as “KZN's ultimate outdoor gathering”, and invites all visitors to come to the stand to learn about how both the Academy and the NPO work to impact communities. “We will have a great Spin The Wheel competition at the stand with a very worthwhile prize and will sign up anyone wanting to be part of next April’s aQuellé Tour Durban. The 2027 event will have a totally new look, kicking off with mountain bike and trail run events, a 2-day Lifestyle Expo at the Suncoast Dome followed by the road race with the 100km iteration on an exciting new route up to Pinetown.
