Sport

'Skizo' to spearhead SA BMX challenge

28 May 2010

Sifiso "Skizo" Nhlapo will spearhead the South Africa team chosen to compete in the 2010 UCI BMX World Championships in Pietermaritzburg in late July, with a number of other riders aiming for world titles in their age groups.

Nhlapo is without a doubt the biggest name in the national squad and the country's biggest hope to grab a gold medal in the blue riband Men's Elite category.

"Skizo", as he is known, proved in 2008 that he had what it takes to compete with the world's best. He enjoyed a superb season and produced some stellar performances in Europe before grabbing the bronze medal at the World Championships. He then finished seventh in the final at the Olympics after a crash robbed him of a medal chance.

Nightmare

While 2008 was the season of dreams for Nhlapo, 2009 was a nightmare after a horrific crash left him sidelined from the action, resulting in him returning to full time racing this year only.

At the most recent World Cup event in Copenhagen, Skizo claimed a place in the semi-finals to prove that his preparations for World Championships are on course.

Backing Nhlapo from the South African team in the Elite category will be Dean Holdstuck, who was less than a second from qualifying after his time trials in Copenhagen, the US-based Gavin Lubbe who was less than one-tenth-of-a-second from qualifying in the season's opening World Cup event in Madrid, Kane Herbert and Jordan O'Keefe.

Training in Switzerland

In the Junior Elite class, Teagan O'Keefe is hoping for big things. The petite youngster is currently training in Switzerland and hopes a tough six-hour-a-day schedule while pay dividends and make her a dark horse for a gold medal in her category.

Other riders who are currently overseas to prepare for the World Championships include the Webster brothers, Liam and Axel, who have both been selected for the junior races. They left this week to compete in a couple of European national championship events and get in some training and experience against top international competition.

Outstanding stand out

While Nhlapo may be the standout performer for South Africa, the person in the South African team who probably stands out more than anybody else is veteran Sharlene McGilvray.

The Pietermaritzburg-based 51-year-old mother is currently ranked second in the 45-plus age group for women and wants revenge after being beaten in Australia in the World Championships last year.

"Australian Cheryl Poynton beat me last year in front of her home crowd, so I want her to be here so I can try and get my revenge in front of my home crowd this year," said the bright-pink-haired McGilvray.

The UCI BMX World Championships takes place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from 29 July to 1 August.

SA TEAM

Elite Men: Sifiso Nhlapo, Dean Holdstock, Gavin Lubbe, Kane Herbert, Jordan O'Keeffe.
Junior Elite: Teagan O'Keeffe, Christopher Austin
Veterans 30-years-and-over: Sharlene McGilvray
Senior 23-29 years: Jonnathan Chislett, Shane Coulthard
Under-23 (16-23 years): Lloyd Dodd, Kyle Dodd, Wayne Gerber, Nzuzo Mngadi, Godfrey Buzibo
Junior (10-15 years): Liam Webster, Axel Webster, Kayla Eggar, Dylan Eggar, Bryce Stiebel

SAinfo reporter