Junior mountain bikers shine at Fedhealth Kids MTB Events

Seen here:  Junior mountain bikers at the start of the 500m Fedhealth Kids MTB Event.  Photo Credit:  Tobias Ginsberg
Seen here:  Junior mountain bikers at the start of the 500m Fedhealth Kids MTB Event.  Photo Credit:  Tobias Ginsberg

Junior mountain bikers blazed the trails of Boschendal Farm Estate on Saturday, 15 September 2018 at the 4th annual Fedhealth Kids MTB Events.

A highlight on the SA mountain bike calendar, the Fedhealth Kids MTB Events catered for ages 0 – 13 with junior MTB enthusiasts able to choose from: a 500m (0-5 years), 1.5km (6-9 years) and a 5km (10 – 13 years) event.

Tyler Van Gesselleen (5) from Stellenbosch was the first rider to cross the finish line in the 500m event.  Tyler was very happy to successfully defend his 2017 title.  “My plan was to stay in front.  The event was good.  I enjoy mountain biking because I ride with my mom, dad, nanna and pops.  I enjoy the jumps the most.”

Hannah Watts (5) from Somerset West proudly stated that she enjoyed the downhills the most.  “I really enjoy downhills, but I am not crazy about the up-hills.  The best part of today was getting a medal.”

Azarah Noble (5) from Kuilsriver agreed that today was great.  “I pushed my bike over the rocks, but I really enjoyed coming across the finish line.”

It was all smiles from Pierre Serdyn (6) from Stellenbosch when he crossed the finish line first in the 1.5km Fedhealth Kids MTB Event.  “The event was very nice,” says Pierre.  “There were some difficult sections, and the up-hills were long, but I had a lot of fun.”

Nina Watts (8) from Somerset West shares the same sentiment as her younger sister, Hannah.  “The race was good and I enjoyed the downhills the most.  This is the second year that I take part in the Fedhealth Kids MTB Events.”

Best friends Josua du Plessis (11) and Herschelle Otto (12) from Stellenbosch obliterated the 5km route crossing the finish line in 1st and 2nd place respectively.

“Today was very nice,” confirmed Josua.  “The route was great.  It was nice and smooth with some hills.  I enjoyed the rocky sections the most.  That’s where I made up on time.  I really enjoyed riding with Herschelle, he is my best friend.”

“I enjoyed the rocks and jumps the most,” says Herschelle.  “I definitely improved since last year, but I have trained more.  The race was a lot of fun.”

Louis Botha from Kenilworth made his mountain biking debut in the 5km Fedhealth Kids MTB Event.  “I received a mountain bike for my birthday in May.  This was my very first MTB event.  I am grateful to my mom and grandmother for bringing me to the event.  I really enjoyed it and would very much like to come back next year.”

Mika du Plessis (10) from Stellenbosch thoroughly enjoyed the 5km Fedhealth Kids MTB Event.  “The route was very nice.  I really enjoy riding and just entered to have fun.”

“Once again, we were chuffed to see so many young riders in action at this year’s Fedhealth Kids MTB Events.  Just doing their thing, having fun and enjoying the scenery. We’re all about cultivating fit, healthy lifestyles from a young age, and events such as ours go a long way towards making that happen! We hope to see all our young riders out there on the trails for many years to come,” says Jeremy Yatt, Fedhealth Principal Officer.

NEXT UP:  Fedhealth MTB Challenge 

The action continues on Sunday when the more senior mountain bikers can choose between a +-15km, +- 28km or +-60km route.

Sunday, 16 September 2018

Time: 08:00
Event: +- 60km Fedhealth MTB Challenge (Marathon)
Entry Fee: R350 per rider (excludes CSA License)
 
Time: 08:30
Event: +-30km Fedhealth MTB Challenge (Half Marathon)
Entry Fee: R250 per rider (excludes CSA License)
 
Time: 09:00
Event: 15km Fedhealth MTB Challenge (Fun Ride)
Entry Fee: R150 per rider

Once across the finish line, all mountain bikers will be treated to a foot massage in the Falke Foot Zone.  The Festival Village will be a hub of excitement.  Enjoy a Flying Fish beer with a mouth-watering Spur Burger while listening to a live performance by Newton & Co.

SPECTACULAR SPECIALIZED PRIZE UP FOR GRABS This year, two lucky riders will take home a whopping R10 000 gift voucher (each) compliments of Specialized Bicycles Africa, a proud partner of the 2018 event.  The Specialized Lucky Draw will take place during prize giving on Sunday, 16 September 2018.  To qualify for the prize, contestants need to have taken part in the 2018 Fedhealth MTB Challenge and need to be present during prize giving to collect their prize.

Additional sponsor prizes will include:  Squirt Bike Lube hampers, THULE lucky draw prizes and four BMT Bike Shop vouchers to the value of R2500 each compliments of Fedhealth.

TURBO E-BIKE CATEGORY:  The Fedhealth MTB Challenge, in association with Specialized Bicycles Africa, will also boast a Turbo E-bike category.  Please Note:  This category will start in its own batch, but will not feature prize money.

FREE ENTRY: Fedhealth members can enter free of charge – simply by typing in their membership number when entering online!

Facebook:  Fedhealth Medical Aid / Stillwater MTB Events
Twitter:  @Fedhealthmed  / @Stillwater_MTB
Website:  www.stillwatersports.com

For more information on the Fedhealth MTB Challenge, contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045 or email [email protected]

ENDS

Issued by:        NEWSPORT MEDIA
On behalf of:        FEDHEALTH and STILLWATER SPORTS