Spur Schools Finals Ends in Victory. - Race Report by Monique Swart

With low temperatures and a cloudy day, with some drizzles here and there, I started getting ready for the finals.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6...........(the whistle goes). And off we went. I started pedalling as hard as I could to open a gap for myself. Without knowing, the second girl was just a few metres behind me. With barely a kilometre into the race, we came to one of the most exciting parts of track: a small downhill with bumps where I could bunny-hop over with speed. Now that was fun! After the bumps, some single track and through a small gate, we started climbing. I looked over my shoulder and saw her. With just a boy dividing myself from her, I started speeding up my pace just a notch. And so we rode for a whole lap.

When we came for our second lap, people were starting to turn up their voices. My Dad, who was standing there was ready to give me my nutrition for what I needed for a lap. The 2nd girl also started to turn up the heat. She rode a bit faster and she was finally on my back tyre, we rode like that, for a whole second lap. We came on to the rugby field, over the bridge with a small drop, which was also fun, through a small single track and again onto the field, for our last and final lap.

This last lap was crucial. People were waiting anxiously, as we disappeared into the far side of the track. So many things flashed through my mind. Am I going to make it till the end? Will I be able to keep my pace strong? And I just told myself not to give up and just grid my teeth together, keep my pedals rolling and don’t look back.

The moment of truth arrived, as we rode for the last time over the bridge and through the small single track. As I exited the single track, with the 2nd girl so close on my wheel, I started speeding up my pace. We were coming onto the field, for the very last few metres, everybody that knew me and the girl, started shouting as loud as they could and I started sprinting as hard as I could.  With only so little to go, we came around the turn and I knew I won. With throwing my hands into the air and screaming of joy, I took the overall lead for the school’s series. I won the race with just a second. I sat down, still not believing that it was so close, my sister came running and hugged me. I couldn’t have done it without all the support I got from my friends, my dad, my sister, some of the Lydenburg High School team, Barry the mechanic, Naeem who was standing next to the one bridge and cheered me and every other Valencia cyclist on. Some people told me that it was a nerve wrecking race for them seeing me and the 2nd girl so close, but the race for me was the best experience I had ever had. With having such a close race, I could see how strong I actually was and how well I handled all the pressure.

I will be representing my school and Mpumalanga at the SA’s in Magaliesburg from the 4th-5th of October.