The annual Oudtshoorn Youth Festival once again heads to the Western Cape and takes place this year from Monday 27th to Thursday 30th June 2016. The festival encourages all young riders to participate as cycling teams.
Event organiser, Corne Bence, says that the regions included in this event are: Western Province, Cape Winelands, West Coast, Eden, Eastern Province and Free State. “Preparations have gone smoothly so far, and we are positive about the number of participants this year,” he added.
The annual Oudtshoorn Youth Festival once again heads to the Western Cape and takes place this year from Monday 27th to Thursday 30th June 2016. Photo: Supplied
The turnout of riders and supporters alike has been impressive each year, and is expected to be even more exciting for the 2016 event. “Last year we had something like 165 riders, and this year we are hoping for numbers between 260-270,” he said.
“The National Defence Force is also very much involved and will be helping with marshalling and other facilitating as well, it’s great to have them on board,” said Bence.
The Oudtshoorn Youth Festival will be used as a selection event for the Western Cape teams competing in the Gariep Youth Festival taking place later in the year. The prime spot in the Garden Route has so much to offer for those making the trip, and the terrain is perfect for many cycling disciplines. Events this year include a Road Race, Hill-climb, Team Time Trial, Criterium races, and Mountain Bike Cross-country racing.
The objectives of the Youth Events are to create opportunities for all riders under the age of 18 to compete on a regular basis against other riders in the country with similar abilities. The emphasis is on team and provincial participation. Other objectives include assisting provinces with development and transformation goals, and creating venues for younger age groups to show and develop their potential, as they no longer take part in the annual South African Championships.
Bence was also pleased to announce that there will be a training camp held over the same week as the Oudtshoorn Youth Festival, where pro riders from Team Telkom, as well as Team Ascendis Health’s Robyn de Groot, will be interacting and assisting with the skills development of the young riders.
Entries for the 2016 Oudtshoorn Youth Festival are open, and close on Friday 17 June. Download the entry form here: http://www.cyclingsa.com/s/20160530_Youth-Festival-entry-form-2016.pdf
Completed entry forms and proof of payment need to be emailed to corne.bence@gmail.com.
More information about the 2016 Oudtshoorn Youth Festival can be found here: http://www.cyclingsa.com/s/20160530_Letter-Youth-festival-2016.pdf
No Youth festival for Gauteng and MP and NW this holiday?