Gert Peens of Hoërskool Rob Ferreira rode the race of his life to edge out Waldu Bakker of Hoërskool Secunda and Jooste Coetzee from Hoërskool Piet Retief in the Youth Boys’ race at the Penryn leg of the Mpumalanga Spur MTB League on Saturday.

It was by far the most thrilling event of the day, with just two seconds separating the top three riders after five laps and 21,75 kilometres of racing.

Gert clocked 54 minutes and 53 seconds. Waldu stopped the clock on 54:54 and Jooste was across the finish line in 54:55.

The Robbies rider showed his intentions on the first lap, clocking 10:37 to lead Jooste by 10 seconds and Waldu by 22 seconds.

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Waldu and Jooste put up an incredible fight, gaining on Gert on the next three laps. Going into the final lap Jooste was on 43:42, Waldo on 43:43 and Gert on 43:44. A bike-length separated the three.

Gert pushed his body and mind to the limit on the final lap, clocking two seconds faster than Waldu and four faster than Jooste, and overtook his rivals to win.

On the Junior Schools log table, Laerskool Secunda has a healthy lead on 778 points. Laerskool Nelspruit is second on 526 points and Laerskool Lydenburg third on 488.

Hoërskool Lydenburg leads the Senior Schools log on an unassailable 1 014 points. Hoërskool Nelspruit is second on 593 and Hoërskool Secunda third on 363 points.

The final leg of the Spur Mpumalanga School Mountain Bike League takes place at Mankele on Saturday September 14.