LOUIS Meintjes will head to the Olympics in Rio on a high after making South African cycling history at the recent Tour de France.
Meintjes became the highest South African finisher in the General Classification (GC) at this year’s race after finishing the gruelling 21-day Tour in eighth place on the GC.
With a momentous achievement behind him, the Rustenburg local only has two weeks to prepare for another major milestone in his life – representing his country at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.
“My motivation is really high – it is such an honour to go and I am really happy to be selected. I’m currently at altitude, training and preparing, and hopefully everything goes well,” said Meintjes on Sascoc’s official website.
Meintjes’ Olympics teammate, Orica-Bike Exchange’s Daryl Impey, delivered a solid result on Stage 7, managing a second place finish.
Meintjes and Impey will compete in the men’s road race at the Games at Fort Copacabana on Saturday 6 August.