The Development Race Day Series 2014 visited Ixopo Primary School in the Sisonke district of KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday 22 November. KZN Cycling Development Officer, Tyrone Johns, and his team consisting of Phakamane Radebe, Khulekhane Bulose, Manqoba Madida, met with the sports co-ordinator Mr. Mkhize, whose school was on their best behaviour.
Out of the 70 enthusiastic learners, 20 were female participants, which was the largest group of girls competing so far in the series this year. This made for some interesting and close racing as no one wanted to give an inch to their friends and everyone wanted the bragging rights at school on Monday morning.
Practice got under way and the learners all took turns on the BMX bicycles, which are taken to each event. They got used to the temporary flat course that was marked on the school field using cones. Once everyone had had sufficient time to get used to the course and bikes, it was time to get down to some racing.
Racing consisted of three qualifying rounds and then a straight knockout until the final, which consisted of the eight fastest riders who battled it out for the podium.
First it was the 9-10 year old girls with Owam Mvusi putting a dominant performance followed by Hayley Monitere and Lia Murray. Next were the 11-12 girls. Christen Mcnamara won every heat, as well as the final, and really enjoyed her racing experience. In second place it was Inga Mlisana and third Afika Mlisana.
Next it was the 9-and-under boys, which saw Asanela Hadebe beating Oluhle Kunene and Luke Rilly to the line. 10-year boys’ rider Miguel Haines took victory followed by Nkazimulo Shabalala and Phila Godwanna. In the 11-year boys race, Mpumelelo Ndlovu won all his heats and the final with a dominating performance. Ayabongwa Shoba finished second and Sabelo Dumakuda third. The 12-year boys race saw another full house of wins all the way to the final, with Unathi Mpantsha taking the victory. Mhlengi Zulu was second and Sanele Gambusha third.
Tyrone Johns said: “It was a pleasure working with Ixopo Primary School. KZN really has some great talent out there and through initiatives like this being backed by KwaZulu-Natal Sports and Recreation, Cycling South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal Cycling, the future is looking very bright not only for our province but for all of cycling in South Africa.”
The Development Race Day Series 2014 is supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports and Recreation, Cycling South Africa and Cycling KZN. Thank you to Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park for the use of your vehicle in transporting the bicycles and equipment.
For further information about the Development Series Race Day, please contact KZN Cycling Development Officer, Tyrone Johns, on 083 606 6086.
