Every July, thousands of cyclists gather at the start line of the Amashova National Classic, ready to tackle one of South Africa's most iconic cycling events. Spectators see colourful jerseys, determined faces and the excitement of race day. What they don't always see is everything that happened long before the starting whistle.

When people speak about David Wiseman, his name is almost always followed by the same description: co-founder of the Amashova National Classic. While that title is certainly deserved, it tells only a fraction of the story.