The Spur MTB School Series for Mpumalanga drew a record number of entries for its first leg. The series kicked off at Uplands Collage on Saturday.
Organiser Brett Coates said the approximately 330 riders was the most they have seen in the competition to date. It was the first of six legs. Riders participate for their school and their performances also earn their institutions points.
The juniors were off to a competitive start. Liam de Klerk took the spoils, completing the five laps of the course in a winning time of 1:04:03. He was almost two minutes faster than second-placed Armand Lombard whose 1:05:53 was almost another two minutes faster than Andreas Kuhn’s 1:07:47.
Constant Furstenberg placed fourth in 1:10:48, followed by Hanru Lubbe in a time of 1:11:23. Marnique de Swardt was the fastest junior female, completing her three laps in 47:18.
Ryan Terry’s 1:08:28 earned him a first place among the youths. He was followed by Emile Fourie in 1:09:40 and Jeandré Gautier in 1:11:03. Monique Swart was the female winner in a time of 54:36. The top sub-junior riders were Jean van der Merwe with 44:50 and Bernice van Wyk who finished in 1:03:24 to win the girls’ division.
- See more pictures: Spur Schools MTB series 2016 kicks off
Jooste Coetzee’s 27:58 over four laps made him the fastest sprog rider, while Mikaela Goelst completed three laps in 25:26.
Among the nippers, Francois de Jager took the spoils in 22:16. Megan Botha was his female counterpart in a time of 16:30.
Sub-nippers Zavier Coetzee and Amina Putter won their categories in a time of 19:15 and 23:03, respectively.
Individual riders are required to compete in at least three legs to be eligible for selection to the finals. The next leg of the series takes place at Curro Nelspruit on August 20.
