‘We bring you the latest Knysna | Garden Route news’
KSA cyclists ride up an XCO storm
Following the conclusion of the Eden Cycling Xco Series, the Knysna Sports Academy (KSA) is holding its head high with a number of riders gaining Eden Colours this season.
The Eden Xco Series consists of four events, starting on 13 March with the first event at Wilgewandel outside Oudtshoorn. KSA entered a team of 13 riders who all made themselves and their coaches proud with Damon Terblanche winning his race.
The next race came on 6 June on the closest thing to home turf that KSA had access to this season, at the Oakhill Sports Campus (OSC). KSA had 24 riders take part in Eden Xco 2 and with the track recently upgraded to be more challenging, the riders experienced a tougher than expected race.
Nonetheless, KSA had a great racing day with a number of podium places while the highlight of the day was Jaydrien Pietersen out-sprinting his competition to the line for a well-deserved third place.
Three weeks later it was time for the third round, which doubled as the Western Cape Xco Championship, again held at the OSC. The field was made up of some of the best in the country, not just the Western Cape. The track was even tougher than two weeks before, but KSA riders held their own and achieved great results with two riders in the Top 10 in the Western Cape and three riders in the Top 20 in their respective categories.
The final event in the series was held at Knysna Montessori School on 11 September. KSA entered 15 cyclists and the team performed well and enjoyed the challenge. Highlights of the day include a first and second position for Natalie Moos and Luzanne Sluyt, respectively.
There was also a third position for Jaydrien Pietersen and a win for Damon Terblanche. With the final results in, KSA is very proud to report that four of its cyclists have been awarded Eden colours: Paulos Sigonyela (1st: Vet Men), Damon Terblanche (1st: U23 Men), Waydon Koopman (2nd: U23 Men) and Jaydrien Pietersen (3rd: Junior Men).