“It’s obviously very disappointing and it’s sad to have to go through something as serious as this just a year before the Olympics,” said Nhlapo. “I guess this comes with the sport though and it’s just part of being a professional.”
“It’s always been a dream of mine to showcase what I do on home soil so not to be able to race in front of my home crowd is very sad!” he added.
South Africa’s BMX star is making steady progress though and hopes to be back on the bike and training by August this year, giving him a year to qualify and prepare for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
“It’s been exactly a month since the surgery and I’m now getting my leg brace to ninety degrees. I’ve got a long way to go still but I’ll be doing physio three times a week and we’ll just have to see how things go from there,” said Nhlapo
“The World Champs are in May next year so I’m cutting things pretty fine but once I’m able to train again I’ll give it my all to get ready for these.”
"If I can do well then hopefully I can qualify for the Olympics at the Champs but there are also quite a few events leading up to the Games so I still have every hope that I’ll make it to London!”
Just eight months ago Nhlapo stood in front of his home crowd, South African flag in hand, celebrating his second place at the UCI BMX World Championships at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg, an event which received an undisputed thumbs up from international competitors and officials.
“Last year’s Champs were fantastic and I think the success of that event was one of the main reasons we were given the Supercross this year!” said Nhlapo.
“There are some great competitors coming out for this event so it definitely should be a good one again this year,” he added.
"Skizo’s" fans may not have the opportunity to see him competing out on the track this time round however they can rest slightly easier in knowledge that their hero will still be trackside eagerly soaking up all the action.
“I’ve been asked to do some commentary work for Freecaster so I’ll definitely still be there,” said Nhlapo. “Whilst I’m primarily there to work I’d obviously love to be able to give some of my time to my fans where I can as well,” he added.
The UCI BMX Supercross World Cup takes place at Alexander Park, Pietermaritzburg on 8 and 9 April 2011.
More information can be found at bmxworldcupsa.co.za
South African superstar BMX racer Sfiso "Skizo" Nhlapo has had his hopes of taking part in the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Pietermaritzburg on 8 and 9 April dashed after he suffered a major knee injury whilst training in the United States. The 2010 World Championship runner-up returned to South Africa shortly after sustaining the injury in February to undergo reconstructive surgery to his anterior cruciate ligament. Doctors expect his recovery will take six to nine months. 
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.