Strong team for Pietermaritzburg

Cycling South Africa has assembled a strong team to represent the country at the Mountain Bike Cross Country and Downhill World Championships in Pietermaritzburg in August and September.

The team features reigning world downhill champion Greg Minnaar, cross country Olympian Philip Buys, national women's marathon mountain bike champion Cherise Stander and women's Cape Epic winner Yolande Speedy.

With the world championships taking place in South Africa, CSA is delighted that elite and junior riders will be given the opportunity to experience racing at international level.

"To make full use of this opportunity, CSA's mountain bike commission has decided to apply a policy of maximum participation, and thus to fill the available entry quota," the federation said in a statement today. "This was drafted into the team selection policy, as a special dispensation for 2013."

As host nation, South Africa are afforded the benefit of a full quota of seven riders in each category, for both men and women, in the junior, Under-23 and elite categories.

With Minnaar being the defending champion, South Africa were allocated another slot in the men's downhill race which, allows for eight entrants.

"However, riders were still assessed on the basis of their performances and commitment in the nominated selection races, and can all be justifiably proud to represent South Africa," CSA said. "This has resulted in the selection of the biggest team that South Africa has entered in a world championship. Particularly gratifying is the fact that we have been able to select four development riders to the team for the first time."

(File photo: Gallo Images)

- Sapa