The South African Cycling Federation has unveiled a massive team to wave the South African flag at the forthcoming world mountain-bike championships in Lugano, Switzerland, during early September.
The 30-strong team includes two United States-based women — brilliant all-rounder, Anke Erlank (New Hampshire), who goes in the Elite x-country, and California’s Anke Martin in the Elite Downhill.
The team also contains Pietermaritzburg’s former World Cup downhill series winner, Greg Minnaar, as well as rising international star Andrew Neethling.
Three-time South African mountain-bike champion Fritz Pienaar, who clinched his third title in Tokai recently, declined ”an invitation to ride in the marathon section as I feel the cross-country is my best event, and I certainly didn’t want to pay out R15 000 only to ride in the wrong event!” — Sapa
The team comprises:
Downhill:
Elite men: Greg Minnaar, Andrew Neethling, Shaun Keppler, Duane Stander
Junior men: Burry Stander, Jonathan Neethling, Oliver Munnik, Travis Wade, Darryn Stow, Arno Verburg, Simon Munnik
Elite women: Anke Martin
Cross-country:
Elite men: Melt Swanepoel, Kevin Evans
Under-23 men: David Low, Johan van Zyl, Koos Groenewald
Elite women: Anke Erlank, Yolande Speedy
Junior men: Bunny Loubser, John-Lee Augustyn, Christo Toua
Marathon:
Geddan Ruddock, John-Paul Pearton, Hannele Steyn-Kotze, Shan Wilson, Grant Usher, Gerrie Beukes, Roan Exelby, Hanlie Booyens
Managers: Bryan Strauss, Charles Stander