From Khayelitsha to the Tour de France: Why the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Means So Much to Us

1–9 August marks the return of the world's biggest race in women's cycling—the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

For millions of people around the world, it is a celebration of elite sport, determination and extraordinary athleticism.

For us at the Khaltsha Development Academy, it is something even more personal.

When the race begins this year, we'll be watching with a different appreciation, because just twelve months ago two young women from Khayelitsha stood on those very roads, cheered from the roadside, rode the legendary L'Étape du Tour route, and discovered that the dreams they once thought impossible were, in fact, within reach.

More Than a Race

Last year, Sesethu Jikeka and Ngcali Simelela became the first riders from our academy to travel to Europe through the Khaltsha European Exchange Programme.

For both young women, boarding a plane was a first.

Growing up in Khayelitsha, international travel wasn't something they imagined for themselves. Yet through years of commitment, discipline and the support of an incredible community of partners, they found themselves at the biggest race in women's cycling—the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

They weren't there simply as spectators.

They became students of the sport.

Every climb, every attack, and every team strategy became a lesson. They watched the world's best cyclists race with courage and precision, learning that excellence isn't accidental—it's built through preparation, teamwork, and belief.

Riding the Roads of the Tour

One of the defining moments of the trip came when Sesethu and Ngcali lined up for L'Étape du Tour, giving them the opportunity to experience the same mountains and roads ridden by the professionals.

Conquering more than 1,200 metres of climbing demanded resilience, determination and grit. It wasn't about finishing quickly. It was about discovering what they were capable of achieving when given an opportunity.

That experience changed both riders forever.

It also changed us as an academy.

Learning Beyond the Finish Line

The journey didn't end in France.

After the Tour, Sesethu and Ngcali travelled to Girona, Spain, where they spent time learning from South African cycling legend Ashleigh Moolman Pasio through the Rocacorba Collective.

Ashleigh has believed in Khaltsha since the earliest days of our academy.

Her mentorship extended far beyond training plans and race tactics. She invested in two young women, helping them understand what it takes to become professional athletes while remaining grounded leaders within their own communities.

Those lessons have travelled home.

Today, both riders are passing on what they learned to the next generation of champions in Khayelitsha, multiplying the impact of the experience across our academy.

None of This Happens Alone

Dreams like these are never achieved by one organisation.

We are deeply grateful to Zwift, whose commitment to making cycling accessible opened a door that once seemed impossible. Through the European Exchange Programme, Zwift helped transform a distant dream into a life-changing reality for our riders.

Our sincere thanks also go to:

• Rocacorba Collective and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio for welcoming our riders into their community and investing so generously in their development.

• Betway Cares Foundation, whose support helped make this exchange possible and demonstrated the power of investing in young women from underserved communities.

Every coach, volunteer, donor and supporter who believed in our girls long before the world knew their names.

This partnership showed that when organisations come together with a shared purpose, extraordinary things become possible.

Join Us for the Tour

As the 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift takes place from 1–9 August, we'd love our community to experience it with us.

We'll be hosting another special Watch Party at the Khaltsha Development Academy:

⛰️ The Queen Stage – The race's toughest mountain challenge

🌼 Stage 9 – Women's Day (9 August) – A special celebration as the race concludes on South Africa's National Women's Day.

Whether you're an experienced cyclist or someone discovering the sport for the first time, you're warmly invited to join us.

Come watch.

Come learn.

Come celebrate.

Because somewhere in our academy today is another young girl who will one day stand where Sesethu and Ngcali stood.