Thrills and spills at SA BMX Nationals

There was some exciting racing at Giba Gorge on Saturday, 25 October as the 162 contestants battled it out across all the age groups in the 2014 SA BMX National Championships.

The event was well supported by the crowds as racing got under way, half an hour before the schedule in attempt to beat the threatening rain clouds. The rain held off just long enough for a day of high class, exciting action.

There were a few spills but one of the most unusual falls came in the first moto in the 30-39 Men Cruiser race, when Patrick Kreutzner from Lahee Park BMX Club attempted to jump clear of rival, Dirk Uys from JHB but ended up landing on his head, causing both riders to fall in a spectacular fashion which lead to a pile up as another two riders crashed as a result of the fallen riders. All the riders made it back onto their feet with minor scrapes and bruises to complete the race. World No.2 Tyrone Johns was well clear of the pack and drama that unfolded.

In the finals of the 30-39 Men Cruiser race Tyrone Johns maintain his dominance to win comfortably while Dirk Uys came from third spot to narrowly sneak second spot on the line from Patrick Kreutzner.

In the Junior/Elite category, Kyle Dodd had a successful morning winning all his motos leading up to the Mains. Kane Herbert was his closest contender, with 2014 Youth Olympic Games participant, Alex Limberg close on his heels. In the Mains, Dodd made another clean sweep, successfully defending his title as SA National Champion. His strongest rival, Herbert, crashed on the second straight, ruling him out of contention. Second place went to Limberg, with Bryce Stiebel finishing third.

In the Women’s Elite, Maia Rawlins, who also attended the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, won all her motos with Stacey Bryant second, and Kayla Eggar third. Rawlins was solid in the Mains, comfortably securing a win on her home track.

The racing can be viewed at www.livestreamit360.tv.

Other results of the day:

6 and Under Boys: 1st – Caleb Limberg 2nd – Salvador Cronje; 3rd – Deagan McCallum.

7 Boys class: 1st – Andrew Posthumus; 2nd – Braden Schutte; 3rd – Lee Singh.

8 Boys class: 1st – Ryan Lemmer; 2nd – Luc O’Brien; 3rd- Karabo Malemela.

9 Boys class: 1st – Evan Fouche; 2nd – Kaiden Keyser; 3rd – Marco Kremer.

10 Boys class: 1st – Joshua Wright; 2nd – Carson Norman and 3rd – Jonathan Duarttee.

11 Boys class: 1st – Ethan Goveia ; 2nd – Andrew Kilian , 3rd – Nicholas Mgwenya.

12 Boys class: 1st – World No.3 Connor Terblanche; 2nd- Kai Brett; 3rd -Tristan de Villiers.

13 Boys class: 1st -Jarod Ellse; 2nd – Tyrone Verral; 3rd – Cameron Turck.

14 Boys class: 1st – Alex Dolman; 2nd – Sukadeva Shanker 3rd- Jason O’Shea.

15 Boys class: 1st – Dylan Eggar; 2nd – Manqoba Madida, 3rd- Taine Banbrough.

16 Boys class: 1st – Brandon Pratt; 2nd – Dylan Heubner; 3rd – Zweli Siluma.

17-24 Men: 1st – Bryan O’Shea; 2nd – Lloyd Dodd; 3rd – Jonathan Brett.

25 and Over: 1st – World No.1 Tyrone Johns; 2nd – Byron Robertson; 3rd – Kelvin Purchase.

16-29 Cruiser: 1st- Brandon Pratt; 2nd – Darryn Stow; 3rd – Kelvin Purchase.

30-39 Cruiser: 1st -World No 2 Tyrone Johns; 2nd – Dirk Uys; 3rd – Patrick Kreutzner.

40 and Over Cruiser: 1st – Michael Fikkert; 2nd – Colin Menges , 3rd – World No.6 William Jackson.

8 and Under Girls: 1st – Kyla Uys; 2nd – Melissa Robertson ; 3rd – Savanna Cosgrave.

9-12 Girls class: 1st – Kaylin Smith; 2nd – World No.8 Kita Uys; 3rd- Delia Greyling.

13-15 Girls: 1st – Lauren Coetzee; 2nd – Amber Muller; 3rd – Georgina Grassie.