Ballito claims four golds at Cycle Lab MTB national schools finals

Ballito’s Madison Bateson, Errin Mackridge and Joshua Johnson all claimed golds at the recent Cycle Lab MTB National Schools Finals event in Brits.

The trio were part of an eight-strong Ballito complement who took part in the event, which drew the best Under-18 mountain-bikers from across South Africa and Namibia to Wagpos High School earlier this month.

Almost 400 young bikers arrived ready to represent their schools and provinces over the two-day competition, with Ballito’s eight forming a strong foundation for the team of 27 from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

On day one, the athletes competed on behalf of their schools.

Bateson cruised to gold in the girls sub-junior section for The Educational Studio, racing through the two-lap course in 27.51 minutes, almost a full minute ahead of second place.

Johnson would earn a second gold for The Educational Studio when he won the boys youth 15 race, just five split seconds ahead of his Ballito compatriot, Josh Paul from Ashton International College Ballito.

They completed the three-lap track in 35:26.1 and 35:26.6 respectively.

In the girls youth 16 event, Mackridge was the best placed South African with a three-lap time of 41:33.1, but ultimately claimed silver for Reddam House Ballito behind Delsia Janse van Vuuren from Namibia.

Her brother Cameron closed out Ballito’s medalists on day one when he claimed bronze in the boys sub-junior division for Northwood High School in 39:39.3.

Leaving their high school allegiances behind on day two, the riders turned their focus to bringing back medals for KZN.

Bateson won her second gold in the sub-junior section, bettering her time to 27:07, a full one minute and 42 seconds ahead of the silver medalist.

Mackridge went one better on the second day, adding a gold to her collection and besting Janse van Vuuren by just over one second.

Cameron Mackridge would also improve by one position when he earned a silver medal behind Gauteng’s Matthew Dickens. Just four split seconds separated the top two.

Johnson and Paul could not match their first day heroics, but still claimed third and fourth respectively to round out a fantastic showing from the Ballito contingent.

Cody Maidman (Curro Salt Rock), Luke Pretorius (Teneo) and Steffi Scholtz (Curro Salt Rock) did not earn medals, but also proudly represented the North Coast.

All eight riders are members of DriveTrain Academy and were previously part of Sugar Rats Club.

KZN would finish as the second best province overall behind Gauteng, while claiming the ‘gees’ (spirit) award for team support.

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