Cycling fraternity mourns Giants member

Nathier Roberts first rode with Cape Town Giants Cycling Club five years ago on the R27, near Atlantis, and that was also the road where he would cycle for the last time.

The 38-year-old was killed on Sunday morning when he was knocked over by a driver during a practice session with other Cape Town Giants members.

The cyclists were preparing for the Double Century, one of SAs premier endurance road cycling events taking place on Saturday November 21.

Western Province Cycling chairperson and a vice-president of Cape Town Giants, Sharief Peters described Roberts as a team player who was always up for any challenge, and would always answer when called upon by his teammates.

“He was always happy when cycling, to him it was more than being competitive, it was restorative to him. He availed himself when our team was one man short and would always be willing to put himself in that position for his teammates.

It happened in a split second when the driver failed to brake and hit two of our riders. Shafiek Alexander was treated in a hospital for minor injuries and released but it wasn’t to be for Roberts.

It's even bad that the accident happened on the route we are familiar with, that we have always used to prepare for races,” said Peters.

Roberts leaves behind his wife and two children aged 4 and 12.

Cape Town Giants will hold a meeting to discuss whether to go ahead with the weekend event as the accident is still fresh in the minds of many of their members.