Andrew McLean

Izimvo is truly honoured to introduce professional cyclist, owner of the Cycle Lab, co-host of Supersports’ Supercycling and leader in the South African cycling industry, Andrew McLean.

At the age of 45, Andrew, a household name in South African cycling, dominates the veteran’s tour and often makes headlines for upstaging South Africa’s elite professionals.

Andrew’s long list of achievements include being a 4 time winner of the Giro del Capo, 2008 Vet Road and Mountain Bike Cyclist of the year and 2007 SA Road and Time Trial Championship winner.

Website: http://www.cyclelab.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/andrewmclean
Location: Johannesburg

Andrew was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Mighty Mouse who is obsessed with all disciplines of Cycling, He has built a Brand [Cycle Lab] in the cycling industry. Despite his age, his fear of failure drives him to believe in ; Pain is temporary but quitting lasts forever.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I love touring on my Harley Davidson with my wife.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Touring on my Harley with no phone or plan.

Q: Which victory do you consider to be the highlight of your cycling career?

A: Winning the Vets World Road Race in a younger age category along with winning the Giro del Capo four times. (The Giro is a South African international stage race.)

Cycling in South Africa

Q: Did you ever imagine that the Cycle Lab would become as successful as it has and what do you think is the biggest contributing factor to this success?

A: Yes, I am the eternal optimist. Good People and hard work as well as a supportive family.

Q: International cycling has been tarnished with some of its biggest names being found guilty of doping. For the most part, this appears not to be the case for local cycling. Is this assumption correct and what are the local governing bodies doing to keep the sport clean?

A: Drug Free sport are doing a good job in South Africa. I would however like to see; a lot more testing, and not only cyclists, all top sportsman.

If you are found to have cheated- No second chance, banned for life.

Q: Which young local up-and-coming rider are you most impressed by and do you think that a South African riding for a South African team will ever win the Tour de France?

A: Reinhardt Janse van Rensberg, mainly because he has come through our Toyota Supersport academy.

Yes, it is certainly possible, but it is still a long way off.

Q: Which local cycling event is your personal favorite?

A: The Absa Cape Epic.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: My wife was mugged while riding her bike at 8am on a Sunday morning on a busy Fourways road. Yes it did, however time heals and we have now almost forgotten about the incident.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: Yes, Mauritius.

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: Crime!!!

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: The Kruger Park, Garden Route and the Wine farms around Cape Town.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: Where in Johannesburg do you most enjoy having lunch after a tough race or training session?

A: Primi in the Design Quarter, Fourways.

Q: In your opinion, what is the best venue in Johannesburg to host functions for small groups. i.e. a team dinner?

A: Methos private room in the Design Quarter.

General

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: Is a cycling magazine considered an educational book???

Q: Which cycling personality have you most enjoyed meeting?

Q: Lance Armstrong.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Jonty Rhodes. He is the ultimate role model!

We’d like to thank Andrew for taking time out of his busy schedule and wish him every success with the Cycle Lab and all his cycling endeavours.

I’d like to end of with a great quote mentioned in Andrew’s interview.

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” – Lance Armstrong