Mountain biking enthusiasts from the Western Cape were out in full force representing their schools in the Spur Schools Mountain Bike League #2 in Worcester at the weekend.
Michelle du Preez, regional event organiser, said: “Along with the increasing numbers and exciting racing, schools are bringing their school spirit and showing that this can be just as much of a team sport as any other. War cries could be heard throughout the day while riders cheered on their fellow team mates. We are seeing more and more schools getting behind their riders and it’s wonderful to see so many school team kits being worn.
“We were thrilled by the great pre-entry response. We received 469 rider entries which is a 12% increase compared to last year. This is fantastic. Enthusiasm for the sport is growing among the kids and more schools are getting involved.”
The best performing high schools of the day were Paul Roos Gymnasium and Parel Vallei. The top two primary schools were Kenridge Primary and Totius Primary.
The Western Cape #2 winners for the following categories are: Sub Junior Boys B (14 yrs): Aidan Penfold, Paul Roos Gymnasium; Sub Junior Girls B (14 yrs): Danielle Barnard, Durbanville High School; Youth Men A (15 yrs): Matthew Lochner, Paul Roos Gymnasium; Youth Women A (15 yrs): Nienke Mostert, Hoër Tegniese Skool Drostdy; Youth Men B (16 yrs): Jamie Penfold, Paul Roos Gymnasium; Youth Women B (16 yrs): Michaela Beaton, Rhenish Girls; Junior Men (17-18 yrs): Rossouw Bekker, Paul Roos Gymnasium; Junior Women (17-18 yrs): Carla Steyn, Parel Vallei High School.
The Spur Schools Mountain Bike League was launched by Spur Steak Ranches and Amarider in 2009. The initiative aims to provide a level of regional and national structure for the sport at school level, as well as to encourage schools to adopt mountain biking as an official in-school sport.
The Spur Mountain Bike League Interschools Final wraps up this season on 7-8 October in Magaliesburg. Schools go head-to-head on race day, and the race moves away from a rider-focused to a team-focused one. Each school strives to qualify for this part of League.
A cash prize of R10 000 is up for grabs and will be awarded to each school at the top of its age category. The primary and high school finishing top of the points log at the end of each season are awarded the Region’s School Champion floating trophy.
Entries are open for the next Western Cape event, which takes place on 26 August at Bloemendal Wine Estate. Riders can look forward to the Western Cape final, which will take place on 16 September.
