John Ntuli’s victory at the inaugural 1070km The Munga mountain bike race from Bloemfontein to Wellington wasn’t only an impressive athletic feat; it was an example of real sports development.
At the time Ntuli was a member of the RMB Change a Life Academy, a development programme started by and managed by ultra-endurance athlete Martin Dreyer.
Photo: Erik Vermeulen
Dreyer runs talent identification trials in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, where the youngsters showing the most potential – or desire – are then given support in the form of basic equipment, coaching, nourishment and event entries as well as transport to and from the events.
It’s not a government affiliated academy and Dreyer has generated all the funds from corporates, such as partners RMB, Computershare, Hi-Tec and USN.
Gracious and humble by nature, Ntuli has moved through the Change a Life Academy’s ranks to a position of leadership and is now a full time professional riding for Merchants. He’s the captain of the cycling division (multi-sport and canoeing are the other disciplines at the Academy).
“John’s Zulu nickname is Ngwenya, the Crocodile, because he is resilient, tough & powerful. How apt that name now is,” tweeted academy founder and Dusi Canoe Marathon legend Martin Dreyer, shortly after Ntuli won The Munga.
“I’ve won a couple of races in my career but this is the biggest race I have ever won!” said Ntuli.
Photo: Anthony Grote/Gameplan
“The Munga was such a difficult race because it was so long, it was very hot and dusty, we had to deal with headwinds and side winds all the time and we were in pain throughout, so it really is a rewarding result for me!” he added.
Ntuli drew confidence from both his training and strategy, done under the guidance of Dreyer. All the preparation in the world couldn’t have readied Ntuli for what he was in for though.
“My hands, my arms and my bum were so sore! I tried everything to get rid of the pain; I took my arm warmers off – and then my shirt as well – and sat on them but nothing helped!
“With about 270km to go I seriously thought about pulling out because I was so sore. But eventually I told myself that everyone else was going through the same pain as I was and so I just had to keep going.
“I stood and sat, stood and sat all the way to the finish line!
“When I finished I was so happy but so tired that when I got off my bike I was just swaying backwards and forwards,” explained Ntuli.
The achievement signifies both Ntuli’s remarkable individual talent and the impact Martin Dreyer’s Change a Life Academy has had on the lives of its members.
“Martin (Dreyer) is so experienced and has given me such great advice and support that really helped me win this race and the Change a Life Academy has changed so much in my life as well and I’m very grateful to him for that!” said Ntuli.
For more on the RMB Change a Life Academy, visit www.martindreyeracademy.com
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*Originally published in TREAD Issue 38, 2015 – All rights reserved
