Para-Cyclist Toni Mould Returns to International Racing and Releases Her First Book
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Para-Cyclist Toni Mould Returns to International Racing and Releases Her First Book

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South African para-cyclist Toni Mould has turned the page on a remarkable comeback with the release of her first book, Breaking The Mould, a deeply personal account of hard work, determination, life with a disability, sport, community and faith, which she launches at [venue to be confirmed] in Stellenbosch on Saturday, 30 May 2026.

From the gsport Newsroom Archives, March 2023

Mould, who remains Africa’s only female international WT1 para-cyclist, has been piecing the story together for the best part of two decades. “In reality I have been working on the book for years, but in the last two years the right team came around me to enable me to finally finish the project successfully,” she says. 

“My journey is a story of hard work, determination, living with a disability, sport, community and faith in God. I think there is something in the book for every reader.”

Iconic South African Para-Cyclist, Toni Mould 

Mould says that she hopes readers will close it with a new perspective on disability and on what communities can achieve together, carrying hope and faith into their own lives.

“This is my first book so I’m navigating this one step at a time,” says Mould, who has confirmed that online sales will be available for sale following the book’s launch in Stellenbosch. Readers can keep an eye on the book’s Facebook page and her Instagram for further details about events and online sales.

South African para-cyclist Toni Mould, Africa's only female international WT1 competitor, marks the release of her debut book, Breaking The Mould.
South African para-cyclist Toni Mould, Africa’s only female international WT1 competitor, marks the release of her debut book, Breaking The Mould.

Writing it meant returning to some of the hardest chapters of her career, including the moment she was told she would not make the Tokyo Paralympic team. She refuses to frame it as a defeat. “To me that wasn’t a heartbreaking moment because I had a belief that my story would end differently,” she says. There were, she admits, other difficult moments she had to relive, but she felt honesty was essential. 

“To have a good story you need to be real and cover the highs and the lows.”

The book did not come together alone. “When you write a book off/on for about 18 years you need a lot of support,” Mould says. “Friends have encouraged me, typed a few pages as I dictated the story to them, prayed for me and the book.” 

She singles out two women who shaped the final project over the past two years, co-writer Nicky de Beer and Lourieke Haller, who she says helped tell her story “in a beautiful easy-to-read way,” while Paul du Toit handled the design and layout, and de Beer also took on the marketing and launch.

The hardest test, though, came not on the page but on the road. Severe injury and pain in 2024 nearly ended her career for good. “I always felt I wasn’t finished, especially after a difficult time in Italy in 2024,” she says. 

“It took a team to get me racing again in 2026.” 

Central to this success was her physio. “I have an amazing physio, Renita du Toit, who walked the road of injury with me and together we tried to find solutions,” she says. 

“I also had great support from a new gym team from Maties Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, as well as friends who supported me and took me for rides even when we were doing it just for fun, mental health and exercise,” she says. 

Her coach refused to give up on her. “My cycling coach, Carol Cooke, also never gave up on me and worked with what I could give at any point,” says Mould, who is candid about her own doubts. “I had the support even when I, at times, doubted and didn’t know or believe that I could return to international racing.”

Toni Mould returned to elite racing in 2026, lining up at UCI Road World Cup events in Belgium and Italy.
Toni Mould returned to elite racing in 2026, lining up at UCI Road World Cup events in Belgium and Italy.

That belief, and that team, carried her back. “I still love the sport and I think my team was vital, physically and mentally to get through that period,” she says. “I’m still not at my best, but we are back and hopefully we can build on this for next year.”

Her racing for the year is now behind her. “My racing is done for 2026,” she says. 

“I did the 42km Cape Town Cycle Tour, and two UCI Road World Cups in Belgium and Italy.” 

“So my focus now shifts to marketing the book and hopefully making a success of that,” she says. She also intends to spend the coming months on her general health and fitness before pre-season training for 2027 around October. After 13 years in the sport, she has learned what sustains her. “Striking a balance between general life and my sport is how I keep my love for the sport fresh,” she says.

Mould is equally clear-eyed about the state of her discipline. “I do think radical change is needed in para-cycling at the moment,” she says, calling for true leadership and a leader with real passion for current and future cyclists. 

“Funding in para-cycling is non-existent for most athletes and we have to self-fund for training, competitions and living expenses,” she says. She believes sponsors must come on board to support current athletes and develop the next generation, otherwise “the sport will die in South Africa.”

“Being on my bike out on the road, whichever country I am in,” she says. “I struggle to move around when I am off the bike due to my disability.” On her bike, which she has named Little Giant, that changes. She can move freely and fast, and as she puts it, “there’s nothing like it.” Beyond the riding, she treasures the training, the community her training team forms, and the racing and community at international para-cycling competitions.

Toni Mould returned to elite racing in 2026, lining up at UCI Road World Cup events in Belgium and Italy.
Toni Mould returned to elite racing in 2026, lining up at UCI Road World Cup events in Belgium and Italy.

As gsport marks 20 years, Mould reflects on why the platform still matters. “gsport is helping to raise awareness of women in sport and unfortunately in 2026 it is still needed,” she says, describing it as one of the platforms where stories are told and achievements celebrated. 

“We need to continue to send the message that sport is a career option for women, and that women should be able to earn a living through sport.”

Her fondest gsport memory is not one of her own. “When my friend and supporter, Anet Bosman, won supporter of the year for her efforts in supporting my sports journey,” she says. “I wasn’t there but I think I watched it online.”

Main Photo Caption: What a comeback for SA para cyclist Toni Mould, who returned to international racing this year and now celebrates the release of her debut book, Breaking The Mould, a powerful story of faith, grit, community and life on her beloved bike, Little Giant. All Photos: Supplied

Photo 2 Caption: South African para-cyclist Toni Mould, Africa’s only female international WT1 competitor, marks the release of her debut book, Breaking The Mould.

Photo 3 Caption: Toni Mould returned to elite racing in 2026, lining up at UCI Road World Cup events in Belgium and Italy.

Photo 4 Caption: Author and athlete Toni Mould shares a journey of grit, disability, faith and community in her first published work.

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