Counting down to Spur Schools MTB league finals
More than 400 mountain bike riders representing 84 schools from across South Africa, Zambia and Namibia will come together at Bekker School in Magaliesburg this weekend for what is expected to be an action-packed final of the National 2016 Spur Schools Mountain Bike League.
Tension is mounting with the 2016 Spur Schools Mountain Bike League National finals only days away following a record-breaking season, which saw more than 10 000 riders compete in 45 events across South Africa, Zambia and Namibia.
Competition was fierce at all the regional events as only the top schools and individual category winners in each region could qualify for the finals. The top 436 mountain bike riders representing 84 schools will converge at Bekker School in Magaliesburg this weekend of 8-9 October for what is expected to be an action-packed final.
The Spur Schools Mountain Bike League was launched in 2009 as a joint initiative between Spur Steak Ranches and trail advocacy group Amarider with 900 riders. Over the years the league has facilitated various rider development programmes, seen a definite increase in the number of female riders, as well as logged an increased number of primary schools supporting the league.
Gauteng has seen explosive growth both in participating schools and riders and is currently the largest league in the country with more than 80 schools, close on 3 000 riders competing and regional events drawing more than 600 entries.
The League runs on the Olympic Cross Country (XCO) lap-racing format whereby participants, separated into age categories, complete a set number of laps of a short mountain bike course. Lap distances are between three and five kilometres.
The hotly contested finals will once again see schools as well as provinces competing for the coveted Spur Schools MTB League trophy and top spot on the provincial log.
On Saturday, 8 October the schools will go head-to-head with the top 26 riders in each category scoring points for their team in an effort to secure podium positions in the National Inter-schools Final. Menlo Park High School dominated the 2015 Spur Schools Mountain Bike League finals, winning the boys, girls and mixed team trophies.
The League is affiliated to South African Schools Cycling (SASC), which in turn is affiliated to Cycling SA as a development initiative particularly geared to create a platform for schools to compete against each other and, in doing so, raise the profile of the sport at school level.
On Sunday 9 October schools will team up for the SASC Interprovincial Competition whereby the best 10 results will be tallied to crown the best province. North West Province, in spite of its size, is the current defending provincial champion.
For more information and results visit www.spurmtbleague.co.za or follow us on Facebook at Spur Schools League and follow @spurMTBleague on Twitter #spurMTBleague.
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