Paralympian Supa Piet claims bronze at UCI Cycling World Championships

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s Paralympian Pieter du Preez, known as “Supa Piet,” secured a bronze medal in the men’s H1 road race on Saturday at the UCI Cycling World Championships in Ronse, Belgium.

Competing in the H1 para-cycling category, which is designated for athletes with substantial movement challenges in their trunk, legs, and hands, Du Preez demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience.

Fabrizio Cornegliani from Italy took the gold, while the USA's Barry Wilcox earned silver.

On Friday, Du Preez added a silver medal to his collection in the men’s H1 time trial, returning home with two medals from the World Championships.

Reflecting on his performance, he shared on social media, “I really struggled today on the course with my eyesight, but once again I’m super proud despite that to bring home yet another world championship medal for South Africa in the road race! Another 2 UCI world championship medals brings my career total to 16. This one is right up there with my proudest achievements considering all the fears I have to overcome and the visualization I have to do to still race at this level with the limited vision I have left. With grace from God, I will keep chasing it as long as it's possible! A big thanks to Team Supa Piet, who was once again the only support we had at the championships. Huge shout out to #DeloitteSA and the #Bidvest OPEX program from SASCOC for making it possible to race across the globe! Thank you!”

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Supa Piet has proudly represented South Africa in three Paralympic Games, finishing sixth in the 400-meter wheelchair track race at the 2012 London Games and winning gold in para-cycling at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, which were held in 2021 due to COVID-19 delays. 

An actuarial analyst at Deloitte South Africa, Du Preez was nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards in 2016. He boasts over six titles at the Berlin Marathon and is a multiple African and world record holder.