From KwaZulu-Natal comes a fresh talent with big objectives. Bianca Haw may not be that well known to everyone, yet, so we figured this was a good time to find out more about this 19-year-old, who recently won the African Elite XCO title…
By Sean Badenhorst
Photos: Craig Kolesky/Red Bull
You’ve raced marathons, stage races and XCO this year. Which do you enjoy the most?
This year has been the first year I am legally allowed to race marathons and 
stage races because I’m no longer a Junior. Naturally I was drawn into the longer races, as SA mountain bikers are so marathon mad! But XCO is still my main focus. I enjoy the shorter more technical racing. There are so many variables you have to deal with in a XCO race, which makes racing so exciting. It’s not always the strongest person that wins in XCO. I have also learnt that XCO helps marathon racing, but not the other way around.
Is the Rio Olympic Games on your radar? If so, what is your strategy in achieving this goal?
Rio is definitely on my radar but I try not to think about too much as there are so many hurdles in the way before getting there. Injuries, mechanicals, illness are just a few, but we are working hard to achieving this goal. For now I’m taking one race at a time.
What are you studying in Stellenbosch?
I’m doing B Com Marketing at IMM Business Institute. To tell the truth, the work its self is beyond boring. I really feel for the people that do this every day, but I guess someone has to keep our economy going! I think it’s more of an excuse to live in Stellenbosch. I have full faith that cycling will work out for a good few years and after that I plan to marry a rich guy and retire on a farm full of animals and good food. So the degree is just to help me know exactly what to do with all my money one day… (jokes!)
You sustained a serious injury earlier this year. Tell us about that?
I went to practice a technical section at Cascades before the PMB Festival on Easter Weekend. I came into this section totally unprepared, just following someone into it, trusting my instinct (and his). Unfortunately it backfired for me and I crashed super hard. (He was fine though) running to me asking “are you okay?” I cried back “no!”
Mad with myself that I messed it up. He then laughed at my helmet, which was skew and broken and hanging from my head. My immediate reaction was ‘get up, let’s try again’ but my right arm was stuffed. I couldn’t hold onto the bars and chose to go back and ice it instead. Initially I thought it was just a lamey, but it got worse and worse.
Unfortunately it was Easter Weekend so I could only get an x-ray on the Tuesday (the accident was on the Thursday). When I saw the specialist the following week he said I did a real good job at breaking my elbow. Twelve weeks down the line and I’m still struggling with it. I now go by the name of ‘Chicken Wing’ as my arm doesn’t fully straighten. It’s been a ball ache, especially for XCO as the courses are technical. The only thing it’s good for at the moment is shifting gears and getting my water bottle out. Other than that, I’m spending a lot of time at physios, bios and chiros. And it’s only an elbow! Imagine it was a leg or something.
What are your racing objectives for the remainder of 2015?
Right now I’m nursing a virus that I picked up a few weeks ago. So just getting to the start line at SA champs on the 18th July has been a goal in itself! The next few World Cups and the World Champs are on my radar for the remainder of 2015.
There’s a big fallout of MTB racing girls when they finish school. What is your advice to those young schoolgirls racing now in terms of carrying their racing on after school?
Don’t take your school years so seriously! When I look back now, I finally actually thank my mom who constantly said “one day you’ll thank me!” She encouraged me to spend weekends and free time going out with my friends or spending time with my family instead of only being on the bike. I was a boarder at Epworth High School in Pietermaritzburg and was very involved with every sport at school like swimming, athletics, cross-country running, paddling and hockey, which left very little time on a weekend to fit in a ride. I didn’t know what cycling training was back then!
I firmly believe that too much of one thing is never good, especially in your school years. Everything must be done in moderation. All too often parents place too much expectation on their children’s achievements and don’t focus on the fun and enjoyment sport can bring.
My advice to younger girls is to enjoy what you do. When you think you are doing enough sports, do some more. At the end of it all you’ll probably choose cycling and love it for the rest of your life as you’ll know it’s the greatest sport through first-hand experience!
You have a Red Bull sponsorship. What does this entail?
Mainly wearing this super-cool flat ca. Ha ha jokes!
They are a great bunch of people! I feel so lucky to be a part of the Red Bull family. They are so involved in growing you into the athlete you one day want to become. They want to be a part of the journey. And they support every decision you take, which is rare.
Any other sponsors?
Yes, Specialized and Oakley
Do you often get referred to as Farmer Glen’s daughter?
All the time! Gracious me, one of my biggest goals is to work really hard and soon he’ll be referred to Bianca Haw’s dad. That’ll really pee him off!
Do you have a weakness, if so, what is it – on the bike? And off the bike?
On the bike I might have many I just try not to show them. Off the bike, definitely! A guy called Andrew Houston…
What has been the most valuable lesson you have learned since leaving the Junior ranks?
It’s not easy all of a sudden. You are now old enough to drive yourself to a race; your parents aren’t going to cart you around and hand you your bottles any more. You are suddenly thrown into the deep end and are made to fend for yourself. I like it but it might take some more time to get use to. Eat or be eaten! Some independence.
What has been your career highlight so far?
This year, winning the Africa Elite XCO title in Rwanda. I did that while my elbow was still not quite right.
What are your long-term goals as a mountain bike racer?
To race the world circuit and one day be world champion. But more importantly, to be remembered not only for my achievements but the manner in which I achieved them. I’d like to be remembered among some of the South Africa greats, like Burry Stander and Greg Minnaar.
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*Originally published in TREAD Issue 36, 2015 – All rights reserved
