It was a thrilling day for cycling enthusiasts from around the world at the 2024 Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships saw 60 international riders and four talented local athletes vying for glory at the GO!Durban Academy in KwaMashu.
Durban, South Africa (12 November 2024) – The 2024 Velosolutions Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Pump Track World Championships finals, held on November 9th, showcased the world’s most skilled pump track cyclists.
The event, hosted at the GO!Durban Academy in KwaMashu, drew a large crowd of spectators who witnessed thrilling races featuring over 60 international riders and four talented local cyclists.
The atmosphere was electric, with the competitive riders showcasing thrilling performances and demonstrating their best skills on the Velosolutions pump track.
According to eThekwini Municipality, the championships featured challenging pump track courses for both men and women with the Top 16, Top 8, and finals stages.
For local cyclists, one of the most encouraging aspects of the UCI Pump Track World Championship was the community-based cycling races that were hosted a week prior to the main event.
Through the Township Series, promising cyclists Mhlengi Gogo, Thuthukani Sphelele Qwabe, Lefati Mzimela, and Lithemba Buthelezi from the KwaDabeka GO!Durban Academy secured their spot and qualified to compete at the Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships Finals event.
For 19-year-old Mzimela who joined the GO!Durban Academy in 2016 when she was 11, the academy has seen her grow exponentially as a cyclist learning much from the coaches who have greatly improved her skill throughout the years.
“I’ve cycled on a mountain track and pump track. The Academy has given me an opportunity to participate in various races throughout the years. The UCI Championships Finals has been one of my biggest opportunities and I am grateful to the Academy and the coaches.”
Clinching the World Champion title in the men’s category from the event was Australian, Ryan Gilchrist, with AJ Donald also from Australia in second place and Alec Bob from the United States of America taking third place.
For the women’s final, Sabina Košárková from the Czech Republic took the World Champion title with Nadine Aeberhard from Switzerland coming in second, and Vineta Petersone from Slovakia in third place.
Reflecting on her well-deserved win, Košárková said that her strategy was to stay consistent.
“I was putting really solid rounds in to break under 19 seconds. I was training a lot more than the last two years – I knew what was missing was the mental aspect so I stayed really calm during the races. To hear the Czech anthem on the podium and get my rainbow stripes was very special. I still can’t believe I’m world champion!”
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