Largest Worlds team yet for the African host nation
Image 1 of 4
Greg Minnaar (RSA) Santa Cruz Syndicate(Image credit: Tour of Japan)
South African elite female cross country mountain biker Yolande Speedy has recovered from her injuries and is preparing well for the 2013 UCI MTB (Image credit: Darren Goddard / Gameplan Media)
Philip Buys (Scott RSA)(Image credit: Tour of Japan)
Andrew Neethling (Giant Factory Off Road Team) - fourth qualifier (Image credit: Mike Gladu - velodrome.com)
Cycling South Africa's Mountain Bike Commission selected its riders for the 2013 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships taking place in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa from August 26 to September 1.
With the world champs taking place at home, in South Africa this year, the nation gets to send a full quota of seven riders in each category including men and women juniors, under 23s and elites.
To make full use of this opportunity, Cycling SA's Mountain Bike Commission decided to apply a policy of maximum participation, and thus to fill the available entry quota. This was drafted into the team selection policy, as a special dispensation for 2013. However, riders were still assessed on the basis of their performances and commitment in the nominated selection races.
"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. We wish our riders well, and are confident that living, racing and absorbing this experience will have a positive impact on their lives and their future in the sport," read a statement from the federation.
Some of the best known riders named to the South African team include cross country stars Philip Buys and Yolande Speedy and downhillers Greg Minnaar and Andrew Neethling. Minnaar is the current downhill world champion.
South African team for 2013 Mountain Bike Worlds
Elite men cross country Philip Buys Matthys Beukes Stuart Marais Max Knox Renay Groustra Ben-Melt Swanepoel Luthando Fatyi
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Elite women cross country Yolande Speedy Samantha Sanders Amy Mcdougall Cherie Vale Melanie Palframan Kim Westbrook Cherise Stander
Under 23 men cross country Rourke Croeser James Reid Luke Roberts Brendon Davids Arno Du Toit Gert Heyns William Makgopo
Under 23 women cross country Mariske Strauss Candice Neethling Hayley Smith Ashleigh Moffatt Sarah Hill Tayla Odendaal Rozalia Kubyana
Junior men cross country Alan Hatherly Dylan Rebello Sybrand Strauss Nicol Carstens Carlo Marzoppi Ivan Venter Louw Kriel
Junior women cross country Bianca Haw Marie-Christin Kempf Marne Botha Catherine Colyn Michelle Benson Jessica Alcock Hazel Magill
Elite men downhill Greg Minnaar Andrew Neethling Johann Potgieter Timothy Bentley Stefan Garlicki Tiaan Odendaal Hayden Brown Alasdair Fey
Elite women downhill Nadia Botha Kathryn Fourie
Junior men downhill Andrew Martin JP du Plessis Gregg Brown Theo Erlangsen Tian Strooh Theo Ngubane Luke Evans
