Local mountain biker is SA champ
A local MTB rider was crowned champion of the SA UCI XCO Cup Series on Saturday and another came second after braving the freezing temperatures of Bloemfontein.
Jooste Coetzee came first in the final race of the series and earned the top title. Jessica Svacha came fourth in the final and second overall for the year.
Coetzee and his dad, Jan, arrived in Bloemfontein on Thursday and the Lowvelders quickly had to adapt to the low temperatues. Svacha fell ill upon her arrival but was determined to compete.
The Coetzees explored and examined the track the next day, which was three kilometres and would be lapped four times in the sprog category in 45 to 55 minutes. Sprog girls like Svacha had to complete three laps.
The track, with many gap jumps and rock gardens, was mostly uphill on Naval Hill and had a speedy descent all the way down the mountain.
Coetzee was up bright and early on race day and came out in third position after the whistle blew.
He managed to take the lead with the approaching uphill and maintained this position with Eastern Cape participant Marcel Swarts hot on his heels and Western Cape’s Alec Coleske in third.
Coetzee finally managed to break away from the pack during the final lap and crossed the finish line 10 seconds before Swarts and 1,23 minutes before Coleske.
Cycling South Africa only announced two weeks prior to the event that all five category points would be considered to determine the overall win and championship title for the SA cup series. Coetzee was only five points behind overall leader Coleske, but his parents did not want to bring this under his attention prior to the race due to the added stress it would bring. This is the first time Coetzee has won a national championship title and he feels great and humble about it.
Despite not feeling well, Svacha was committed to competing in the final race and obtaining UCI points. She managed a fourth place in the Sprog category, which earned her a second place overall for the season. She’d like to thank Dirk Lourens Cycles for their support.
Coetzee would like to thank his Heavenly Father for blessing him with this talent, Dirk Lourens Cycles for their continued support and guidance, his parents (especially his father for always being there by his side), Laerskool Malelane for all their support and encouragement and the Malelane community.
Coetzee will compete in the Big 5 MTB race in Komatipoort this weekend and will start a strict exercise programme with Dirk Lourens next week in preparation for the SA Championships.
This will take place in Pietermaritzburg on July 16 and if Coetzee does well, he will receive his SA MTB Racing colours and his second SA Championship title.
