SA XCO Cup #2. Paul Roos Gymnasium and DEVMCO are excited to announce the hosting of the SA XCO Cup #2 on 2 April, 2022 at Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch. This prestigious UCI CAT1 race is hosted one week after the Cape Epic. It is during the school holidays and is sure to attract top National and International riders.
Following the success of the Paul Roos Provincial MTB XCO race hosted in April this year, the school was afforded the opportunity to present one of the 2022 SA XCO Cup Series races. This is a first for a school in South Africa. All age categories will be catered for in terms of Cycling SA Regulations. It will start with Nippers (U/10) going up to Grand Masters (60+). Junior and Elite riders will be competing to gather valuable UCI points.
Paul Roos and headline sponsor DEVMCO are proud to announce partners Hamilton’s Painting, Giant, Liv, Mercedes Stellenbosch, Leatt, PRG Kwikspar and Supreme Consultants collaborating in one of the most spectator-friendly disciplines of Mountain Biking, XCO (Cross Country Olympic). Riders’ skills and fitness are being tested over undulating circuits (laps) with technical descents, forest roads, rocky paths and challenging obstacles.
Coetenzenburg
Coetenzenburg is a well-known world class course and needs no introduction. It played host to the UCI World Cup in 2018. Further to the existing obstacles such as Wine Barrel, Pick-up-Stix and Rock Garden, it will feature a brand new obstacle. Each lap will stretch over approximately 4,6 kms with elevation of 190m. The Nippers and Sprogs course will be shorter, and promises to be a lot of fun.
“Coetzenburg is one of the best XCO tracks in South Africa, as it is on the same level as World Cup tracks. The long climbs provide enough overtaking space, whereas the technical features on the course is not too technical. It still needs a lot of concentration and good lines to get through every lap safely. I love the Coetzenburg track because the best rider is sure to win!”
Tristan Nortje
“XCO has taught me never to give up and just to go as hard as you can from the word go. There is not time in an XCO race to rest or get off the gas. As soon as you do that, you lose your position. XCO athletes have way more control and better line choices I’ve seen over other riders. It teaches you to step into the deep end and see how long you can survive. I would really like to encourage all young aspiring mountain bikers to come participate in this event.” Tristan Nortje (Imbuko Giant) u/23 SA National XCO Champ 2021
Paul Roos Gymnasium, as the top mountain biking high school in the country, believes in developing long-term skilled athletes. In the week prior to the event, Paul Roos will be hosting skills sessions lead by their own skills coaches. Further to the standard racing on the day, the programme will also include a skills competition for all U/18 riders. Western Cape MTB skills experts will be judging participants on the various obstacles, and most skilled riders will be awarded with great prizes.
Registration will open in 2022 – regular updates will be made available on www.paulroos.co.za
Photo credit: Chris Hitchcock
More news on schools: https://schoolsthatrock.co.za
