Round two of the Junior Eliminator Series for Gauteng hosted at PWC Bike Park set new standards for the series moving forward. The course was 99,9% visible from sitting in one spot, although there was barely anybody sitting as the large crowd were on their feet screeching for the riders as they charged along the pristine course that was set up.
Riders were treated to a manicured course which included long straights to work on their speed and power, a BMX whoop section to see who had the ability to double and pump through maintaining speed, tight corners to close up the gaps and a rock garden that was attacked at full speed by all riders – we wasted our time making a chicken run!
Racing was intense with high speeds and close tussles entertaining the spectators, with the high intensity and thrills came the odd spill with majority of the riders getting caught out in the whoop section.
The u/14 girls raced three heats and were averaged out to find the overall winner. Round one winner Havannah Blem was a casualty to the whoop section which opened the door for a consistent Alison Crichton to jump up onto the third step of the podium. What looked like a dominant performance from Andrea De Waal was cut short in the final heat when she slide out and her skewer unhooked and her wheel locked up, as she made her way into the finish line pushing her bike, Vicky Nel rode through to take the final victory. In the overall there was a tie and on the count back Vicky finished second behind Andrea.
- Andrea De Waal (Potchefstroom Girls High)
- Vicky Nel (Elarduspark Primary)
- Alison Crichton (Sutherland)
The u/14 boys final was a battle for pride with two riders from Menlo Park versus two riders from Harties. Stehan Wolmarans found himself improving on his round one result and stepping onto the third step of the podium just behind Richard Nel, but it was a flying performance from Marco Moolman that saw him dominate the final heat to take the victory.
- Marco Moolman (Menlo Park)
- Richard Nel (Harties)
- Stehan Wolmarans (Harties)
Like the u/14’s, the u/16 girls also raced 3 heats and were averaged out. Daniélle Muller went cart wheeling over her handle bars in the whoop section, when speaking to her later in the day she was in good spirit and already wanting to race at round 3! Kelsi Chomse was left chasing Prayer Mbulawa for third and second respectively, but it was Kaylin Prinsloo who streaked ahead of the pack to jump onto the top step of the podium.
- Kaylin Prinsloo (Harties)
- Prayer Mbulawa (Diepsloot MTB Academy)
- Kelsi Chomse (Fourways)
After being the fastest the whole day through the whoop section, Chad Fikkert slid out around the corner in the u/16 boys final leaving him in a cloud of dust to watch the heat ride away from him. Round one winner Jared Cowan couldn’t match the speed of Ryan Conradie and Bendeon Myburgh who fought it out in the final sprint with Bendeon hanging on to take the win.
- Bendeon Myburgh (Waterkloof)
- Ryan Conradie (Potchefstroom)
- Jared Cowan (Sutherland)
The u/19 boys received the biggest challenge of the day with Saffron Vosloo(only u/19 girl) choosing to race the boys – she gave them a run for their money narrowly missing out on advancing to round 4, but naturally winning the u/19 girls division. Once Saffron was out, the boys could relax a little. The final was closely contested but with Ruan De Villiers crashing in the rock garden it allowed the other three to get away. Round one winner Jacques Lloyd was just off the pace of Johan Hartzenberg who was out sprinted by Deon Du Toit who had found a good rhythm through the whoops to pick up speed and get ahead.
- Deon Du Toit (Montana)
- Johan Hartzenberg (Zwartkop)
- Jacques Lloyd (Zwartkop)
This Sunday, 2 August sees the third and final round for the Gauteng leg and this years Junior Eliminator Series take place at Heronbridge College. There are fantastic prizes from our sponsors Trek Bikes, Fox Racing, Enjoy Fitness, Skullcandy, OGIO and Rayne Cams as well as prize money for the podium finishers. Overall champions will be crowned and the Overall Winning Team will walk away with the Rayne Camera and the Enjoy Fitness voucher for R10 000 in custom cycling kit. Entries are closing on Friday 31 July at 8pm – there will be NO late entries on the day, so go to www.onemovement.co.za and enter now.
