Sport serves as paramount nation builder! Cycling is a top 10 sport in South Africa, and mountain biking is the primary contributing cycling discipline. Mainstream popularity of mountain bike sub disciplines is shared between Cross Country Olympic (XCO) and Cross Country Marathon (XCM). XCO, however, is viewed as pivotal to mountain bike performance. AfriForum Sport will endeavour to create facilities and opportunities that will encourage mountain bike participation through the following steps:

Introductory exposure should be non-intimidating regarding the technical demand and should accommodate riders from all skills levels. Learners from participating schools should be encouraged to partake in a Schools Development League to create awareness among participants in a fun filled manner!

The physical and technical demands of competitive XCO differ vastly from that which would be required by the Schools Development League. Subsequently, the following is aimed at a next step for preparing prospective contestants that would be interested to pursue the sport:

  • XCR (Relay), XCO TT (Time Trials) and XCE (Eliminator). XCR, XCO TT and XCE offer user-friendly opportunities to partake in competitive XCO-type events, at a slightly higher technical demand. These are fun-filled sub-disciplines to incrementally expose riders to the physical and technical demands of competitive XCO by ensuring they are equipped with precursor bike handling skills.
  • The XCO League. The XCO League should offer contestants the opportunity to experience real XCO as individuals, however, on accommodating XCO tracks. These race tracks should be designed, custom built and properly manicured to offer contestants real XCO simulation without extreme challenges. Tracks should be designed to equip riders with basic bike handling skills required for competitive XCO.

The provincial XCO Cup Series and Championship races are designed as extreme challenges. These events are aimed at ensuring contestants are equipped with intermediate to advanced bike handling skills. Contestants are exposed to compete at the physical and technical demands of national and international XCO events with confidence.

  • XCO. Racetracks and competition for national XCO Cup Series and Championship races demand similar physical prowess and technical skills compared to international standard races. These XCO events are being presented at the highest level.
  • XCM. There currently is no XCM national series like the SA Cup series in XCO. We envisage an XCM provincial series to create better opportunities for improving XCM race performance. Racetracks and competition for provincial XCM and XCM Championship races demand similar physical prowess and technical skills compared to international standard XCM races. These XCM events should be presented at the highest level.
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