Following an exciting 2014 season, fierce competition marked the national finals of the Spur High School Mountain Bike League hosted at Bekker School in Magaliesburg recently. A record number of 360 riders representing the cream of high school mountain bike riders from more than 40 schools across South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe competed in the two-day event. The team from Hoërskool Menlopark was on top form and secured four podium positions as well as logging a number of top ten positions to secure both the girls and mixed team national championship trophies, while Grey College in Bloemfontein won the boys team category. The 4.5km track at Bekker School proved more challenging than previous seasons boasting many single track stretches as well as tricky falls that required both stamina and technical skills. The lap-race format of the event saw the various age categories complete a specific number of laps ranging from two laps for the sub-junior girls to a testing five laps. Points were awarded to the top 26 finishers in each race with the total school scores based on the top five boys in the boys team category, top three girls in the girls team category, and three boys and two girls respectively in the Mixed Team category. According to Gauteng league co-ordinator, Deon Steyn, it was the depth of the Menlopark team that secured them the top spot. The following local riders have scored podium positions in the race: Sub-junior boys (13-14) – three laps: Chris du Plessis of Hoërskool Menlopark, second. Youth men A (15) – four laps: Johann Trotzky of Hoërskool Montana, third. Youth men B (16) – four laps: Henry Liebenberg of Hoërskool Menlopark, third. Junior men (17) – five laps: Wade Prinsloo of Hoërskool Hartbeespoort, second. Youth women – three laps: Saffron Vosloo of Hoërskool Menlopark, second and Lynette Benson of Hoërskool Waterkloof, third. Junior women – four laps: Michelle Benson of Hoërskool Waterkloof, first and Janice Venter of Hoërskool Menlopark, second. – The Spur School Mountain Bike League final is also considered an interprovincial derby with the top riders from each province selected to compete. for their respective provinces. Competition was fierce between Gauteng and North West Provinces with each logging a number of wins, but it was defending champion Gauteng that once again took home the coveted Spur Mountain Bike League Interprovincial Trophy.