No cyclist has more Cape Town Cycle Tour victories than Anriette Schoeman. With seven titles to her name, she is the undisputed Cycle Tour Champion of Champions. 

Not that the humble Schoeman – who was also a seven-time national road race champion – would ever boast about such a thing. 

“I’m not one of those people who likes to speak about past achievements,” she says. “When I was racing, I did it for myself. I know I’ve won the Cycle Tour the most times, but that wasn’t what was important to me. I never cycled for results, or to prove anything. 

“At the time, it was a job, and cycling was something that I was deeply passionate about. I think if I can inspire someone to take up cycling, then that’s what I’m really proud of… motivating the next generation.” 

“For me, it’s the number-one race in South Africa, always and forever.”

When it comes to the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Schoeman will always have warm memories. “For me, it’s the number-one race in South Africa, always and forever. It’s so prestigious, and an absolute celebration of humanity. 

“It was nice to win, but equally important was the rider who came last on the day – that’s what Cycle Tour is: an opportunity for everyone to ride. Everyone is connected on the day, and the whole of Cape Town belongs to cycling. It’s very special.” 

Treasured memories for Schoeman come from her victories in 2010 and 2013. “Both of those races featured the who’s who of women’s cycling, so I’m very proud of winning in those years; but particularly 2013. 

“The chips were down for me that year. I’d lost a sponsor, but then luckily got involved with Mecer. And the field was super-strong – Sharon Laws was there, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio was there… During the race, I was hanging on for my life, digging deep, and doing everything I could to stay with the bunch. I knew I just had to stick with them until Suikerbossie; because once I got there, I could handle myself in the sprint.” 

Since retiring, Schoeman has focused her passion on a new career – piano tuning. “I played piano at school, and went as far as you could go at that level,” she says. “I wanted to study music; but back then the career options were limited, so I focused fully on cycling instead.” 

Six years ago, Schoeman’s career was winding down. “My last victory, I was more relieved than elated,” she says. But the Covid lockdown brought it to a sudden, unexpected halt. “There were no races, no sponsors – I stopped cycling altogether. I needed to reinvent myself.” 

In a way, it gave her the perfect opportunity to step back into something else that she loved. “I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed music; it was good timing.” 

To pivot to a piano-tuning career, Schoeman did an apprenticeship in Johannesburg while working weekends in a workshop, showing the kind of commitment that had taken her to the top of the cycling pile. “It was all about maximising my learning and time. It’s worked out well so far – I’m very lucky that I’ve found something after cycling that I can pour all my effort into.”

READ MORE ON: Cape Town Cycle Tour Legends