There were more surprises in store for competitors in the recent Brait Grace to Grace 42km mountain bike challenge in the Magaliesberg than just the treacherous inclines and rocky and sandy terrain, writes Ntuthuko Maphumulo.
They also had to contend with a redoubtable mother-and-son team who pedalled off with the top prizes. Jean Paul Pearton won the men’s race and his mother, Anne , took first prize in the women’s section.
Mother and son have been participating in cycling tournaments for the past five years. They were introduced to the sport by Anthony, the older son. Every time Anthony went racing his mother and brother would tag along.
The racing bug finally rubbed off on the whole family.
Three of Anne’s six children participate in competitive cycling, including her handicapped daughter, who is training with her for the Highveld Stereo 94.7km race to be staged in November in Gauteng.
Last year mother and daughter came second in the women’s section of the 94.7 race and this year hope to be number one.
The family has accumulated a lot of prize money and trophies over time.
Anthony and Jean Paul and their mother have been involved in race competitions these past few months. The boys travelled to the United States for the world championships, where Anthony came 61st in the under-23 category and Jean Paul placed 36th in the junior race.
Anne won the world champions master series in the ladies category in September in Canada. Jean Paul went on to win the Rustenburg mountain bike race and Natal Mr Price classic.
Both brothers are currently the All Africa champions in their respective age groups.
Jean Paul is writing his matric exams and wants to study engineering while continuing to cycle in his spare time. He contends there is no competition between him and his brother when it comes to cycling. “We encourage each other to do better and he has beaten me in some races and I have also beaten him in others,” says Jean Paul.
The competitive spirit may be down, since Jean Paul is writing exams, but
the family will continue to ride together in the future.