Ambassador Nkosi welcomed Emile Jacobs, a South African cyclist who is currently a guest rider for a Belgian club – Lotto Olympia Tienen. He has been training in Belgium for the past 4 years for a 3 month annual European racing campaign usually held between June and September. His stint at Lotto Olympia Tienen will assist him in gaining valuable international experience, by racing against some of the best European cyclists.
At only 19 years of age, 2012 was his first year as an under 23 elite cyclist. Amongst his achievements are a stage win at the SA National U23 tour and receiver of a Silver medal at the recent Elite SA Track Champs as well as several other Top 5 and Top 10 positions in local Elite races. In 2011 he was selected as one of the only 3 SA Junior cyclists to represent South Africa at the Youth Common Wealth Games held in the UK. He has also represented team South Africa at a Junior and at Under 16 level at the Following UCI Nation Cup road races in Europe:
• GP Patton in Luxembourg (2011 and 2012)
• Trofeo Karlsberg in Germany (2011 and 2010)
• Poleur-Stoumont-Polleur (2009)
Emile does both raid and track cycling disciplines and is a member of the Toyota CSA Academy U23 Team, based in Johannesburg.
In commemoration of youth month, the Mission in Brussels has been engaging young South Africans representing their country in Belgium to showcase their achievements.