Twenty-one talented young local cyclists have earned their spots on the KZN Schools Mountain Biking team that will represent the province at the prestigious Cycle Lab Schools MTB National Finals next month.

The event, set to take place on October 4 and 5, will see primary school riders compete in Tzaneen, Limpopo, while high school athletes battle it out at Hoërskool Piet Retief in Mpumalanga.

The finals will bring together the country’s top school-aged mountain bikers in a thrilling showdown of endurance, skill and speed.

ALSO READ: North Coast riders power to KZN CycleLab School Series victories

Among the standout selections are Ashton International College Ballito’s trio of high school riders: Joshua Paul, Daniel Abdo and Sophia Lombaard. Joshua and Lombaard have shown consistent dominance throughout the KZN Cycle Lab MTB School Series, winning all four events.

Curro Salt Rock High School will be represented by Cody Maidman and Natalie Kluza, while Ballito Academy celebrates the inclusion of Ronan Elcox and TES College is represented by Madison Bateson, who recently won three golds, despite missing one leg of the series due to international competition.

ALSO READ: Local riders impress at Umhlali Cycle Lab Schools Series event

Reddam House Ballito’s Errin Mackridge, fresh off her national selection for the UCI Road World Championships taking place in Rwanda this week, adds further strength to the girls’ team.

Other high school selections include Sean Johnson from Clifton Durban, Cameron Mackridge and Luke Pretorious from Northwood High School and Luzuko Dlamini and Anele Disane from the KZN Cycling Development team – highlighting the province’s commitment to inclusive talent development.

On the primary school front, Umhlali Preparatory School has a strong showing with six riders chosen, joined by Aston Nidd from Eden Village Preparatory School and Elijah Lupton-Dale from Ashton.

ALSO READ: Gold rush for junior North Coast mountain bikers at Cycle Lab Schools Series

Adventure sports coach Tyronne White, who trains many of the young riders and coaches several at DriveTrain Academy, expects a successful trip. Tyronne says their selections showcase the depth of mountain biking talent emerging from the North Coast.

“I am very proud of all the riders who were selected for the nationals,” he said.

“It is awesome to see so many coming from the North Coast. I am sure our riders will come home with many medals.”

CORRECTION: This article was amended after it was published. The article previously stated that Ronan Elcox attends TES College, which was corrected to Ballito Academy.

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