'I want to live the dream as a professional cyclist': 16-year-old gearing up for Cape Town Cycle Tour

Graeme Raubenheimer is joined by Yahyaa Martin and the co-founder of the DSV Shift Academy, Malcolm Lange.

The Mother City is abuzz ahead of the famed Cape Town Cycle Tour taking place on Sunday.

Nearly 30,000 cyclists will gather to ride 109 kilometres across the peninsula in the world's largest timed bicycle race.

Among them will be eight teenagers from the DSV Shift Academy in Paarl, a non-profit company founded to empower underprivileged young cyclists for success, both on and off the bike.

Graeme Raubenheimer (in for Sara-Jayne Makwala King) chats to Academy co-founder Malcolm Lange and Yahyaa Martin, one of the young cyclists doing the epic Tour on Sunday.

The 16-year-old, in Grade 10 at Paarl Boys' High School, says training to this level is all about discipline.

What about the heat in the Boland? You just get used to it in training, he says.

"I've been cycling since I was ten years old - this is my second time in the Cycle Tour."

"Preparation is about training, staying disciplined, trying to be better every day."

Yahyaa Martin, 16-year-old cyclist

Lange, who's a former professional racing cyclist, is looking at his 21st Cycle Tour this time round.

The youngsters training at the Academy follow a daily programme after school, he explains.

They have access to a gym, and a wifi-equipped area where they can sit and do their homework.

"Yahyaa's one of the youngest - if you look at the pictures from our Academy he was just a little guy and now he's become a big guy! He's already won a few races."

"He's in a town that's really all about rugby, and here we are cycling. It's just great to see the kids evolve and become better people."

Malcolm Lange, Co-founder - DSV Shift Academy

The Academy's grown from 15 to 20 students from the Winelands area since it was launched 4 years ago.

The dream is to expand and replicate the programme across the country.

"We want to keep this going for many years - we're inundated with requests from kids all over the country that want to be here."

"We really want kids to become champions AS PEOPLE. It's not all about creating world champion cyclists, but we've had some great hits."

Malcolm Lange, Co-founder - DSV Shift Academy

Young Martin has a career as a professional cyclist in his sights.

"I want to live the dream and compete in the world champs; next year the goal is the African Championships."

"Whenever I'm on the bike I just feel free."

Yahyaa Martin, 16-year-old cyclist

Scroll up to the audio player to hear the full conversation