Preparing for the Jeugdtour
Four youngsters will represent the Dolphin Coast in Holland - but they need your help to get there.
The biggest cycle race in the world is the Tour de France, right? Well not if you are between the ages of five and 18 it’s not.
That honour falls to the week-long European Junior Cycling Tour in Assen, Holland – the Jeugdtour – and four North Coast riders are looking to head over and test their mettle against the best junior cyclists in the world.
Every year, kids from all over the world converge on the Dutch town to battle it out over six days of road racing.
It is the pinnacle of junior cycle racing. In 2017, over 500 riders were entered in the first four minutes after entries opened. Around 700 riders registered from 19 different countries.
Courtney (17) and Tayla Munro (16), Matthew Opperman (15) and Chloe Bateson (15) will represent the Dolphin Coast in Holland – but they need your help to get there.
As part of their fundraising efforts, the four cyclists have been helping with the afternoon coaching sessions for the Sugar Rats Cycling Academy at Sugar Rush Park on a Tuesday and Thursday.
Gill von Buddenbrock, who operates the popular academy, hopes to help them reach their target.
The Sugar Rats have been operating since 2010 when Chloe was just seven years old and Matt was eight, both of them rode with von Buddenbrock and attended her holiday camps – so the wheel has come full circle.
“It is so exciting watching these kids grow up and its always easy to spot the talent and know which kids are going to turn professional,” said Von Buddenbrock.
So, bring the kiddies to out to join the trails (suitable for ages four to 12 or capable of riding between three and 10kms). They will be split into groups depending on their level of riding.
“These rides will be a regular feature at Sugar Rush Park and are free for the kiddies. All we ask is that you consider sponsoring the teens heading to Amsterdam – no amount is too small.”
If you would like to contribute to the trip, visit sponsorus.tch.co.za or contact Gill on 079 528 4665/ gill@sugarrush.co.za.
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