Saturday’s racing forms the last leg of the 2011 SA BMX National Championship Series and will determine the champion in many of the classes. Sunday’s race is a one-day event, whereby the Grand National Champion in the different age categories will be crowned.
Defending Elite champion Kane Herbert will be battling it out against fellow competitors Kyle Dodd, Sifiso Nhlapo, and Gavin Lubbe, who have made the lengthy trek back home after competing in the final leg of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in America at the weekend.
For Nhlapo, the Supercross was his first opportunity to fully test his knee, after he had surgery in February this year. “I unfortunately did not qualify beyond the time trial, but none the less I was happy with how my knee handled all the riding in practice and in the time trial,” said Sifiso. “It is now one month since I got my release from my doctor to return to BMX racing and training, and the road to the top is still long and I understand that these early disappointing results are a part of the process of being back at the top of my game. I plan to race my way back to shape!”
Also worth noting is the influx in the little ones taking to the sport! Fifteen under-6 boys, six girls in the 5 to 9 age category and ten 7-year-old boys are on the start list, which bodes well for the future growth of BMX in South Africa.
There will also be a mix of international competitors in the form of Zimbabwe, who have entered a team of 28 riders for the competition.
The Alrode BMX track, commended as a top-notch SA BMX venue, is ready for the action and is well prepared for the level of racing that is expected. Challenging technical aspects are included as well as the separate elite section.
If you’re in the area, be sure to watch SA’s finest BMX stars in action in Alrode – Corner Bosworth and Dan Jacobs Street. For further information, contact Jason Brett on 082 557 1808.
