At a time when it was needed most, leading cycle retailer, Cycle Lab, added its support to schools mountain biking. The 2022 Cycle Lab Schools Mountain Bike Series took place in Gauteng with five events giving hundreds of learners the opportunity to have fun and race in a safe, stimulating environment. The good news is that the series is set to expand further in 2023.
By Sean Badenhorst | Photos: Serisha Adams
One of the biggest casualties of the 2020-2021 government enforced lockdowns, was the Spur Schools Mountain Bike Series. After a decade of investment and steady growth, the restaurant chain that became synonymous with youth mountain biking was unable to continue its multi-million Rand sponsorship of the series, which gave mountain bike racing opportunities to thousands of learners from across the country.
With regional and national events, the Spur Series was a key grassroots programme that helped identify and nurture mountain bike talent at the top end and sparked a passion for mountain biking from the winners to the tail-end finishers. That love of mountain biking isn’t something that can be taught, only felt. And just when it seemed that mass-youth-race catalyst was gone for good, Cycle Lab stepped up and committed to keep that fire burning…
A total of 827 riders from 54 schools took part in the Cycle Lab Schools Mountain Bike Series, which had five rounds at five different venues in the Johannesburg and Pretoria regions.
Because of his experience and involvement in helping grow the Spur Series in Gauteng, series organiser, Deon Steyn, was able to structure the Cycle Lab Schools Mountain Bike Series on a similar system to what had worked previously. Cycle Lab added funding, technical support and media; and its key partners, which include Toyota, Shimano, Wahoo and Planet Fitness, committed additional support to ensure a successful inaugural series.
After five rounds of fiercely contested racing across 10 categories – five male and female – from 13-19 years of age, the top performing individuals and schools were recognised at an awards function held at Cycle Lab Fourways on 27 September 2022.
Adding prestige to the occasion was the presence of invited guests, Alan Hatherly and Candice Lill, South Africa’s top male and female XCO racers, both double Olympians and among the best in the world.
“It’s super important to have a series like this. Well done to all involved. We need to have this base for our sport with a good group of youngsters coming up. But it’s not only about the top riders, it’s also about kids enjoying riding with their mates – it’s such a social and healthy sport and hopefully something they will do for the rest of their lives,” said Lill.
“A schools series like this is where the foundation is laid for future talent. From there it progresses to provincial, national and international levels, but this grassroots layer is essential. The crew at Cycle Lab are doing a great job with this series – definitely looking after the youth and preparing them for the future,” said Hatherly.
“The emphasis of the Cycle Lab Schools Mountain Bike Series is on participation and fun. That’s why all participants are able to score points which count towards their school. But obviously any race also must reward the fastest and create a competitive environment where winning humbly and losing graciously are learned from a young age,” said Sven Pederson, Race Director.
“Investing in the young generation is extremely important for Cycle Lab as a business but also for mountain biking in South Africa. It’s been a big effort from many to get this inaugural series off the ground and we appreciate their commitment. We look forward to 2023 where we intend to hold an extended final and invite top riders from other provinces to compete. In 2024 we plan to expand the Cycle Lab Mountain Bike Series to other regions where we have stores, including KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape,” added Pederson.
Every entrant received a R150 Cycle Lab voucher per event (their entry fee equivalent). Individual series prize-winners each received a trophy, series cap, certificate and a Biogen hamper. The top boys and girls school each received a floating trophy, certificate and a signed jersey from Hatherly and Lill respectively, while the top school overall received a floating trophy, certificate and a SCOTT SRAM UCI World Champion jersey signed by Nino Schurter and Kate Courtney.
Watch the video summary here.
Leading individual finishers in the 2022 Cycle Lab Schools MTB Series:
BOYS
Junior 18/19 Years
1 Phillip Naude, Waterkloof HS 860 points
2 Bertie Anderson, Magalies Special School 768
3 Divan de Klerk, Transvalia HS 730
4 Jordan Boschoff, Afrikaans Hoer Seunskool 700
5 Emile van Niekerk, Helpmekaar Kollege HS 590
Junior 17 years
1 Zuan Jacobs, Montana HS 950
2 William Mills, St John’s College HS 750
3 Rion le Grange, Garsfontein HS 728
4 Kieran Woest, Randpark HS 660
5 Pieter van Eeden, Midstream College HS 553
Youth 16 years
1 Beon van Staden, Midstream College HS 1160
2 Travis Rademan-Ludeke, Pretoria Boys HS 770
3 Stefan van Jaarsveld, Zwartkop HS 655
4 Josh van der Merwe, Menlopark HS 600
5 Xavier Olivier, Afrikaans Hoer Seunskool 529
Youth 15 years
1 Gustav Roller, Randpark HS 1110
2 Joshua Kanis, Helpmekaar Kollege HS 1010
3 Carter Olivier, Maragon HS 760
4 Wium do Toit, John Vorster HS 560
5 Xander Erasmus, Zwartkop HS 560
Sub-Junior
1 Eduard du Toit, Waterkloof HS 1200
2 Ivan Hurter, Garsfontein HS 890
3 Jano van der Merwe, Transvalia HS 840
4 Joshua Harding, Hans Moore HS 538
5 Tiaan Gouws, Afrikaans Hoer Seunskool 525
GIRLS
Junior 18/19 years
1 Kayla Hodgman, Oos-Moot HS 1060
2 Tarina Naude, Helpmekaar Kollege HS 950
3 Lane van Wyk, Menlopark HS 800
4 Melissa Strauss, Midstream College HS 700
5 Mieke Jacobs, Afrikaans Hoer Meisieskool 650
Junior 17 years
1 Rachel Green, Kempton Park HS 1200
2 Amore Ludik, Kempton Park HS 840
3 Rozelle Burness, Garsfontein HS 800
4 Shana van Heerden, Zwartkop HS 700
5 Danielle van Emmenes, Garsfontein HS 590
Youth 16 years
1 Megan Boschoff, Afrikaans Hoer Meisieskool 1100
2 Bianca Botha, Montana HS 950
3 Simone Struwig, Driehoek HS780
4 Cyanda Bekker, Dr Malan HS 670
5 Anrika Small, Dr Malan HS 560
Youth 15 years
1 Elizma le Roux, Zwartkop HS 1160
2 Kirsten van Niekerk, Broadacres Academy HS870
3 Sarah Heher, Midstream College HS 760
4 Jane Male, Midstream College HS 710
5 Danielle Hoffman, Monument HS 620
Sub-Junior
1 Marie Fivaz, Garsfontein HS 870
2 Juane Lemmens, Afrikaans Hoer Miesieskool 800
3 Ilze-Marie Schoeman, Afrikaans Hoer Meisieskool 752
4 Helen Olwage, Waterkloof HS 660
5 Martinique Trollip, Driehoek HS 630
Leading schools in the 2022 Cycle Lab Schools MTB Series:
Girls
1 Afrikaans Hoer Meisiesklool 7013
2 Garsfontein HS 4579
3 Menlopark HS 4423
Boys
1 Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool 7049
2 Midstream College HS 6527
3 Waterkloof HS 6198
Overall
1 Midstream College HS 9926
2 Garsfontein HS 9428
3 Kempton Park HS 9393
For hundreds more images, check out the galleries on the Cycle Lab Schools Mountain Bike Series Facebook page here.
