Race Report: The Spur School MTB League Finals

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Words by Sipho Madolo. Photos by Chris Hitchcock and Sipho Madolo.

Saturday, 14 September, marked the final round of the Western Cape Spur School’s MTB League. The finals were hosted by Poal Roos Gymnasium, in Stellenbosch. We once again saw the biggest participation record broken with just over 1 000 school children from across the region taking part. That is really good for the growth of the mountain biking. Well done to Meurant Botha and to his team for putting together these events for the kids every year!

songo.info had 10 kids that took part at the event. Once again, the kids had good day of racing and most importantly, they had fun. They all rode so well; even though we had a few mechanical issues, but overall was one of the best weekends of racing.

Sprogs

We have two boys in this age group, Likho and Mivuyo. Likho once again had a good one, as he finished just outside the top 10 on the day and Mivuyo just outside top 20. It was a good day for our youngest boys

Sub Juniors (Primary School)

We had three boys and a girl taking part in the age group. Amila Mntuyedwa, Lakhanya, Onesimo and Milani. Amila was on the leading three boys and had mechanical problem as they were going for the last lap. We managed to fix it, but he lost so many positions and ended up finishing in the top 20. The kids are taking part to learn to compete though and this was a good lesson for him. Lakhanya had his best day on the bike for the first time this year finished 13th and Onesimo rode so well finishing just outside top 20. Milani had mechanical as well and just missed the podium, finished 5th. She is racing so well and can’t wait to see her racing against high school girls next year.

Sub Junior (High School)

We have two boys Liyema and Inathi participating in the high school Sub Junior division. Unfortunately, this age group is one of the most competitive age groups and the two boys don’t have anything easy, but that’s good too. They had a good race fighting for good positions until the finish and they were absolutely happy with their races.

Youth Boys and Girls

We had Zizo and Akho in this age group, our oldest riders in the Spur School’s League and was cool to see them racing their hearts out. Zizo was one of the strongest boys in this age group a year ago then stopped riding for few months because of social issues. It’s pretty special seeing him racing close to the front again and motivated to turn things around.

2020 Plans

This year we focused a lot more on the younger kids as we want to have a team to The Spur School’s League Nationals next year and am so comfortable to say we are on the right direction and the kids are so motivated and already looking forward to the next year’s League.

Thanks to our sponsors for making it possible for our kids to go racing and, again, to Meurant Botha and his team for the incredible support every year.