Ballito’s Errin Mackridge recently powered her way to a national road cycling title after an exciting sprint finish.

The 17-year-old cycling star beat out a packed field to win the 105km junior road race at the South African National Cycling Championships in Midvaal outside Johannesburg on February 4.

She took on 13 of the best 17- and 18-year-old cyclists from across the country, showing experience beyond her years to think on the fly and adapt to a new strategy when it mattered most.

“Considering the flat route, it was difficult to break away from the peloton, so it all came down to a sprint finish which was definitely not what I had originally planned,” said Mackridge.

“When the race was closing in at about 500m before the finish, I felt myself getting boxed in and pressurised by the peloton, so I decided to just go and empty everything in the tank.”

She initially created some distance from the field, but they did their best to reel her back over the final sprint stretch.

“Fortunately I had enough in me to carry on and take the gold medal in my category,” she said.Mackridge finished in 3:14.56, just one second ahead of the next four racers.

All 13 girls in the chasing pack finished within 11 seconds, showing the extent to which the peloton had stuck together throughout the afternoon.

But Mackridge took her chance with a shrewd move that bodes well for future competitions.

“This race will hold a very special place in my heart because this is my first year in an older category, my first national road title and my first ever white jersey.”

Aside from her road race gold, Mackridge also brought home a silver medal from the 15km junior individual time trail in a time of 23.44.

She is one of a number of talented young North Coast cyclists from the DriveTrain Academy and has previously won national titles in off-road disciplines.

“I could not have done it without the support of my family, friends and coach.”

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.