Laerskool Selection Park’s mountain biking team is making its mark in the Gauteng Schools Cycling League, with riders recording podium finishes and strong results against some of the province’s biggest fields.

The eight-member team has represented the school at four Gauteng Schools Cycling events this year, competing at Riversands Farm on April 18, Steyn City on May 30, Idlewild Country Estate on July 25 and Diamantevallei Estate on August 22.

Among the standout performers is Lihandru van Dalen (7), who has accumulated 620 league points after four races.

Van Dalen finished second out of 93 participants at Riversands Farm and second out of 102 riders at Steyn City.

He then placed seventh out of 119 at Idlewild Country Estate before finishing ninth out of 106 at Diamantevallei Estate.

Another consistent performer is 12-year-old Lian Style, who has collected 550 league points. Style finished third out of 137 participants at Riversands Farm, seventh out of 137 at Steyn City, sixth out of 122 at Idlewild and fifth out of 110 at Diamantevallei.

This means Style has finished inside the top seven in all four league races. Together, Van Dalen and Style have contributed 1 170 league points to the Selection Park team.

The school’s other riders have also recorded strong results. Jacques-Louis van Dalen finished 36th, 38th, 44th and 50th in fields of 150, 143, 126 and 131 participants, respectively, across the four events.

Willem van Wyk finished 57th out of 110 participants at the latest event at Diamantevallei Estate, earning 11 points for the school.

The team has recorded three podium finishes and several top 10 results and accumulated 1 372 league points so far this season.

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The team’s coach, Brian Style, said that he is incredibly proud of the team and the commitment they have shown throughout the year.

He shared that they kept showing up, giving their best, and, no matter how difficult a race became, every rider finished every race and completed every lap they started.

“Sport teaches an important lesson that life will not always reward your effort, and sometimes your hard work may even go unnoticed.

“What matters is that you keep believing in yourself, keep developing and keep moving forward. These boys have demonstrated exactly that kind of determination and character. They are a wonderful example to others and, without a doubt, they are my heroes,” said Style.

The final Gauteng Schools Cycling League event is scheduled for September 5 at Modderfontein Reserve.