Ballito cyclists bring home gold from National Cross Country Cycling Championships

Four of Ballito’s best young cyclists brought home gold from the recent South African National XCO (cross-country) Championships.

Madison Bateson and Sophie Bircher from Sugar Rats Racing and Joshua Johnson and Errin Mackridge from Drive Train Academy all won their respective categories at Cascades Mountainbike Park in Maritzburg last weekend. Liam McIntosh, Seth and Lila Aszalos also finished on the podium of their respective races.

The event brought the best cross-country cyclists of all age groups from across the country, competing for a national title.

Madison Bateson (11) won a tightly contested Sprog Girls category, finishing her 5 laps just 2 seconds ahead of the second place finisher, Lara van der Vyver.

Sophie Bircher’s (9) win was slightly more comfortable in the Nipper Girls event, finishing her 3 laps in a time of 23.23, 32 seconds ahead of the pack.

Joshua Johnson (13) delivered a dominant performance in the Sub-Junior Boys category, finishing his 3 laps in 47.11, almost a full minute ahead of the second place finisher.

Finally, rounding out a superb 2 days of performance from the cyclists, Errin Mackridge (14) finished top of the Sub-Junior Girls race in a time of 42.21.

Drive Train team coach, Tyrone White and Sugar Rats Racing team coach Mike Mason were both elated with the performance of the young stars, bringing a total of 7 medals back to the North Coast.

“All of the racers did phenomenally well in a very competitive field, Josh and Errin should be very proud of a massive achievement,” said White.

“These kids have put in a lot of hard work to get here, racing from when they were very young. It is unbelievable what they have been able to achieve, we are all very proud,” said Mason.

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