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Fast, fierce and unforgettable: SA Championships thrill at Happy Valley─── MORGAN PIEK 09:16 Thu, 23 Jul 2026
Happy Valley was the place to be over the weekend as the country’s top mountain bikers battled for national honours at the 2026 South African Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) and Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) Championships.
The championships returned to Bloemfontein for the first time in four years, bringing together South Africa’s leading riders alongside several competitors with international experience. Free State Cycling earned widespread praise for hosting a professionally run event over two crisp winter days in the City of Roses.
Saturday belonged to the explosive XCC format, where riders went head-to-head in short, fast and fiercely contested races.
Olympic bronze medallist Alan Hatherly stole the show with a gold double. Photo: Morgan Piek
On Sunday, attention shifted to the longer, more demanding XCO discipline, which tested endurance, technical skill and tactical awareness on the challenging Happy Valley course.
Olympic bronze medallist Alan Hatherly once again underlined why he is South Africa’s benchmark rider by sweeping both elite men’s titles, although Luke Moir ensured neither victory came easily.
Hatherly claimed the XCC national title in 21:10, with Moir taking silver in 21:45 and Johan van Zyl securing bronze in 21:53.
Joshua Mostert of Bloemfontein in the men’s youth race. Photo: Morgan Piek
The trio repeated those finishing positions in Sunday’s XCO race. Hatherly crossed the line first in 1:27:45, Moir followed in 1:29:59, and Van Zyl completed the podium in 1:33:00.
The elite women’s honours were shared between two of the country’s leading riders. Olympian Candice Lill added another national XCO title to her impressive résumé after winning in 1:31:23.
Tyler Jacobs finished second in 1:33:05, while Danielle du Toit claimed bronze. Errin Mackridge proved unbeatable in the women’s XCC event, covering the five laps in 18:50.
Michael Kanis hitting a berm at speed at Happy Valley. Photo: Morgan Piek
Du Toit finished second in 19:19, with Larissa Meintjes completing the podium in third despite being lapped.
The junior men’s competition produced some of the closest racing of the weekend. Neil van der Vyfer edged Daniel Bristow by just two seconds to win the XCC title in 15:49, with Erik van Zyl only five seconds off the pace in third.
Van der Vyfer then completed a memorable double by winning the junior men’s XCO race in 1:09:52. Cody Maidman secured the silver medal in 1:11:01, while Bristow added another podium finish with bronze in 1:11:10. Madison Bateson claimed victory in the junior women’s XCC race in 18:13, narrowly ahead of Lu-Mari du Plessis.
Michael Foster in the men’s elite XCC race. Photo: Morgan Piek
Du Plessis responded on Sunday by taking the junior women’s XCO title in 1:22:22. Bateson finished second, while Nortjé again secured third place.
Massimiliano Ambrosi dominated the U23 men’s XCO event to take gold in 1:18:44. Omar Wilson claimed silver, with Samuel Cleary completing the podium.
In the U23 women’s race, Lilian Baber produced a commanding display to secure victory in 1:45:20 after completing six laps. Free State rider Carla Kotze gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate with a silver medal, while Mackridge capped another excellent weekend by finishing third.
The men’s elite XCC race gets underway with Luke Moir and Johan van Zyl leading the early charge. Photo: Morgan Piek
The younger age-group categories also delivered outstanding racing, with riders displaying determination and skill throughout the championships.
Across two days of top-class competition, the event highlighted the depth of South African mountain biking while reinforcing Bloemfontein’s reputation as a venue capable of hosting major national and international sporting events.
