Nic White

Izimvo is honoured to introduce professional cyclist, Nic White

Nic, synonymous with South African cycling, has been a professional for over 11 years. He has earned a reputation as a master tactician and is known for being a fast time-trialist, strong climber and accomplished stage racer.

Nic’s illustrious career includes many victories including the Tour of Morocco in 1998 and 2007, Giro del Capo in 2000, 2007 African Road Race and Time Trial champion, UCI Africa Tour in 2008, 2 Rapport Tour stages and the first Pick n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge in 1997.

Website: http://www.nicwhite.co.za
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nicwhitedotcoza
Location: Johannesburg

Nic 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: This is Nic White, almost 36 years of age and still racing his bike with the Elite category for the Team Medscheme! He has completely missed the first veterans category, and at this rate, will miss the 35-39 cat as well! Father of two children, and has a loving wife, Diane, who also rides a bike, although not too regularly anymore with our small children!

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

A: I wouldn’t want to divulge any secrets, but I am a bit of a collector, or hoarder some might say? These days I get pretty involved in ‘collecting’ the toys that my 3 yr old son likes. I get pleasure out of adding to his collection, as if it were for me. The Disney movie – Cars, is the subject in question, and slowly we are notching up many of the characters!

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

A: I enjoy getting away to the bush, and relaxing, as well as getting onto a mountain bike and riding in the wilderness.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?

A: I am a fan of the mountains, and could quite easily live in some part of the Drakensberg, or Maluti Mountains, From Clarence to Underberg or somewhere in between! It is important to have a great view of the land, and a big stoep all the way around our house to watch the weather from!

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

Professional Cycling

Q: Congratulations on a very successful year with Team Medscheme. What do you consider to be the team’s greatest asset?

A: We have a great bunch of guys in the team, and a fair amount of talent. The greatest asset has been our ability to combine the strengths and ride for the person with the best possible chance to win, it is the unselfishness of everyone that has allowed for our successes. The one for all, all for one story..

Q: What is an average day like for a professional cyclist?

A: Well, these days life is a bit busier than it used to be, with getting my son to school, then it is onto my bike at about 08h00, meeting a few others, most of the time a team-mate or two if not the full team, and then spending a few hours training, from 2 to 5 hours, depending what we have planned. Once back, resting a bit, and whatever other things may become necessary to do. I do not have another job, but have planned some bike trips and do a newsletter from my website which keeps me rather busy at times.

Q: To what would you attribute the popularity of South African cycling in recent years?

A: The popularity of cycling in SA is mostly attributed to participation that is involved. Everyone is able to ride, or compete in so many events, that, along with the TV coverage of cycling and the Tour de France has made it very popular, but the problem still persists that the local professional cycling scene is not where it should be.

We spear head all of these participation races, but there is very little ‘big’ racing for the top-level. We would love some proper tough events at an international level, so that people can come and spectate, but the culture just isn’t there yet. Everyone want to participate and do it themselves. This is great, but we will never have the same culture of cycling as they do in Europe.

That is not to say that we are not grateful, but I think that it could be bigger and better for everyone, especially the aspiring young riders who would like to become professional riders in good teams, and make a life from Cycle Racing!

Q: Which young local rider impresses you the most and do you think that a South African riding for a South African team could ever win the Tour de France?

A: I have enjoyed the growth of Daryl Impey, having known him since he was young, and having the pleasure of racing in a team with him as well. He is not that young anymore, but still has lots of room to improve, I hope that he goes a long way, especially in the team that he is in now, Team Radioshack. Another rider who has improved rapidly is Arran Brown, he has immense talent but perhaps his ambitions will grow and we may see him one day at the highest level of the sport?

Q: Which events are you most looking forward to in 2010?

A: I am hoping to do some Mountain bike events in 2010, for a change and a bit of a challenge, but I prefer the tougher events of which there aren’t that many anymore on the road. Some tours, or very hilly races? This year we have a few planned and perhaps a few overseas travels to keep our racing level up to scratch!

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: There have been a few small incidents, luckily not huge or bad, but I think every South African is affected in some way unfortunately! Even when the electricity substation down the road gets vandalized causing a power surge that fries all of your appliances, and then nobody takes any responsibility for that! It is just b___s__t that that type of thing happens. Not to mention all of the violent crime that takes place in our society!

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

A: We have not really considered emigration, but I had spent some years racing in Belgium and got to see a lot of Europe. It is great how things just work, and everybody does the right thing. I was also in Switzerland this year on a MTB trip. It is great place with so much infrastructure and everybody out doing some sort of activity, sporting or outdoors! There they do the right thing and obey the laws because it is the right thing to do, not because they will get fined. The mentality is just so different to ours. That is the type of society that I would like to live in. But will need loads of money to get a start in Switzerland!!

Q: If you were given the opportunity of sitting down with the president, what advice would you offer him?

A: I don’t think that this is easy as there are so many problems to fix. But I think that they should make laws that are simple, and then enforce them, don’t come up with fancy things that only target certain people. Make this country a law-abiding country without any corruption. That is a big task to start with..

Q: Favorite South African cycling event and training route?

A: My favourite training route is the ‘Trees’ route in the south of Johannesburg. It was where I started riding many years ago, and I still really enjoy the trips we take trough there (it is between Walkerville, Daleside, Meyerton, and Henley on Kilp).

My favourite event is a difficult one. I am tending towards some mtb events of which I haven’t done too many of. But on the road, I have a soft spot for the races we used to do in Lesotho. I would like to see them back on the calendar again. In a non competitive aspect, my favourite is my Big Sky Ride through Lesotho, and second to that the Tour de Tuli, (used to be Tour de Kruger), I hope to be on that one again this year!

Life in Johannesburg

Q: What do you enjoy most about living in Johannesburg?

A: Living in JHB has its benefits, that being you are close to everything, and there is a lot to find in terms of shops and foods etc, and everyone is here! However, I could easily live in the sticks somewhere, near the mountains or the bush! I am not a fan of traffic!!

Q: As a father of two young children, which restaurant to you consider to be the most kid friendly?

A: Our favourite restaurant is in Parkview, Franco’s Trattoria, it is the best Italian place you will ever find. The food is great, and it is family run, and they are super people. We take our kids there and they have a great time, as well as many other people with small children. The restaurant does not really cater for children, but they are very accommodating!

Q: Who in Johannesburg makes the best breakfast for after those long training rides?

A: The best breakfast in town is a difficult one, I have not spent much time of late eating breakfasts after training rides, but gone straight home! But you don’t often go wrong at a Mugg and Bean. They cater well for cyclists, and we have spent many hours at these restaurants in the past!

General

Q: Do you have any rituals that you follow before a big race?

A: I don’t have any rituals, but do enjoy drinking a beer or two before a big race!

Q: Favorite South African sporting moment of the last 10 years?

A: The wins in the Rugby World Cup have united our Nation and have been inspirational to all South Africans.

Q: Who would you consider as South Africa’s greatest cyclist of all time?

A: This one is difficult, as it is hard to choose. It was before my time, but Alan Van Heerden was probably one of the best that ever came from South Africa. He was an unbelievable character and who knows what he may have achieved had there not been sporting sanctions in those days!

Also Robbie Hunter has put South Africa on the map in Cycling at the highest level today, and he is definitely the best on the peloton from SA. I have the pleasure of knowing him and spending some time training with him these days!

Q: What was the last album that your bought?

Q: Been a while, but the Parlotones, (a year ago already!)

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: I would like to read about Daryl Impey again in a few months time after he has found his feet at Radioshack. He is in great company and after he has some races under his belt, (especially the classics) I would like to hear about his experiences!

We’d like to thank Nic for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him and Team Medscheme every success for the 2010 season.