Plettenberg Bay is perhaps best known as a holiday destination of choice, but for at least one vacationing resident, 'December-op-Plett' was part-'vakansie,' part work.
Shaun-Nick Bester (and Dad Nick) might have got some lighthearted flak for Christmas Day calisthenics, but that is just the way they roll. You see, Bester jr is a pro bike rider, plying his trade in faraway Portugal for Team Sporting Tavira. 'Team Who?' many might ask, and rightly so. Many aspiring young riders might have expectations of living on the Riviera and coffee rides but the Portuguese peloton is a lesser known proving ground and a brutal one at that. The Volta a Portugal is one of the hardest races on earth, but who would know?
Allan W, Steven W, Mark B, Chris M certainly would: the list of other brave South Africans (and other Anglophones) to pursue pro careers in the smaller country on the Iberian Peninsula is longer than one might think and Shaun-Nick is following in their footsteps. Portugal might not be the most fashionable of places to ride a bike for pay but that is OK: you've gotta want 'it' if you're gonna to make 'it'.
Voorspoed Shaun-Nick. A Lion might not eat spaghetti but then not many pro bike riders were born in the same year that their 'Pa' won Comrades.
