Nino Schurter, Julien Absalon and Jaroslav Kuhlhavy are synonymous with top-tier XCO MTB racing but we often forget if it weren’t for their early development and growth through a dedicated racing series they probably wouldn’t be the athletes they are today. – By Aaron Borrill

Apart from the occasional top 30 finish when last did you see a South African finish inside the top ten at a World Cup? Exactly. The chasm left by Burry Stander remains a contentious issue to this day and proves not only how freakishly talented he was as a cyclist but also the disparity between our riders and those in Europe and the like. Yes, a lot of that comes down to seeding and starting position but if we, as a nation, hope to finish in the top echelons of international XCO again the right structures need to be put in place in order to nurture and develop a new wave of world-class competitors.

Nurturing potential

It all starts in the lower rungs of MTB racing – a place where skills are honed and techniques are developed. More importantly it begins with healthy rivalry forged by regular participation in a well-organised race series that not only encompasses the zeitgeist of the sport but also introduces riders to the fast-paced action and many obstacles that comprise this exhilarating form of cycling. Juniors, beginners and even first-time adult riders need to be exposed to ultra-competitive racing and technical features, as well as extreme mental stress to simulate the difficult and demanding courses around the world. While there’s a place for manicured trails we need to ensure we up skill our riders to adequately navigate terrain as seen on the international courses. Yes, we do possess world-class venues and tracks – Cascades and Coetzenberg are two that come to mind but not everybody has access to these courses.

For the past couple years the WC XCO Series has been promoting the sport by up-skilling riders of all ages with the confidence and ability to compete at regional, provincial and SA Cup level before ultimately graduating to the pinnacle of the sport – UCI level.

A Family Affair

The focus on these races is not to scare riders away but to encourage participation and draw more interest to the sport. While the courses are fairly technical they’re not impossible to navigate with the option of both A and B lines available. In fact the series as a whole is open to all age categories and not just juniors as many think. The focus here is not just mass participation but rather to get the whole family involved from support all the way through to mom, dad and grandpa lining up in their respective categories. And for those not keen on racing there’s live music, food vendors and activities for the kids.

Rising stars

Here in the Western Cape a slew of competitive and highly talented juniors are rising through the ranks at a rate of knots, and it’s all because of the WC XCO Series. In fact these athletes are so talented that some have already began to impress overseas at international age-group races. Luke Moir is a case in point. Rumoured to be the next Burry Stander, young Moir travelled to Switzerland late last year and blew the field away, racing to victory and forging a lasting reputation among his international rivals. Luke unfortunately broke his collarbone on a training ride and was subsequently forced to withdraw from the remaining Swiss Cup races he’d entered – races we reckon he would have won too. But there are other Cape-based athletes worth keeping tabs on such as Olivia Penfold, Allison Morton, Ryan Veer, Jamie Penfold, Daniel van der Walt, Matthew Keyser and Jarrod van den Heever – riders we’re pretty sure will become household names in the not too distant future.

Behind the scenes

Despite what you may think the Western Province Mountain Bike Commission (WPMTBC) is not a company or government-funded organisation meaning it relies solely on pro bono or volunteer work. So before you moan and groan about the entry fees take a moment to think about all the blood, sweat and tears that goes unnoticed in the background. All the work that happens behind the scenes comes from a dedicated volunteer base spearheaded by committed parents and enthusiasts as well as faithful sponsors.

Dates, Courses and Venues

The 2017 circuit will comprise four challenging events across the Western Cape including the WC Champs. Race 2 will double up with the WC leg of the SA Cup, which boasts a UCI category 1 rating for the Elite Men and Women categories. Juniors will also be able to earn valuable UCI points that will form part of the UCI Junior World XCO Series.

Entry fees, categories, race times and course details can be found here.

Race 1: 4 February at the Slanghoek Mountain Resort.

Race 2: 24 & 25 February at Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Paarl (WC leg of SA Cup)

Race 3: 1 April at Bloemendal, Durbanville

Race 4: 27 April at Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Paarl

Race 5: 27 May at Bloemendal, Durbanville (XCO WC Champs)