A young Somerset West mountain biker clinched a podium spot after spinning dust in the eyes of competitors during the Schools Cycling South Africa’s interprovincial primary school finals in Limpopo last month.
Zac Davies, a Grade 7 learner from Applewood Preparatory School, represented both his school and the Western Cape, ultimately placing third in the competition held in Merensky, Tzaneen, on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October.
The Western Cape Schools Cycling organisation runs five annual events, selecting only the top three riders per grade to represent the province at nationals.
“I’m used to riding and racing in hot weather, but the heat in Limpopo was unbearable when I was pushing maximum effort,” Zac explained.
The Western Cape team’s trackside support proved instrumental. “My dad and the other Western Cape team adults were all shouting tips and times at me. From lap two, I started to get closer and closer to first and second place, which helped keep me focused.”
The 13-year-old’s competitive journey began just three years ago. “I’ve always had a bike since a young age, but I’ve just completed my third year racing in the Western Cape school cycling events. We entered for a bit of fun initially,” he explained.
His steady progression fuelled greater ambition. “In one of the earlier races, I managed to get to 12th position – that is when I realised if I put in some serious effort I could do really well.”
Zac maintains a disciplined training schedule with several sessions per week. “I try to train between four and five times a week, but during the busy months there is a race nearly every weekend, so I try to have one day’s rest before a race so my body is fully charged.”
His routine combines school riding, outdoor training at Lourensford and indoor sessions using the MyWhoosh app. The local farm serves as an ideal training ground. “Lourensford often hosts the Cape Epic and Wines 2 Whales, and has world class trails that are well maintained and safe,” Zac noted. “It has a bit of everything – big long climbs, steep technical downs, and you can really learn to be a good rider there.
“My uncle was the UK cross country mountain bike champion in his youth, and my dad used to race with him.”
However, the student has now surpassed the teacher: “I’m much faster than my dad now.”
One of Zac’s biggest challenges has been competing against riders with superior equipment. “When you get into the top 10, some kids are riding bikes worth around R300 000. All of them use clip-in shoes and proper race setups, but I started out on flat pedals and old takkies,” he explained.
A particularly memorable moment came when he was seeded in the front row for the first time: “The other nine riders looked at my 13-year-old bike and my ripped, dirty takkies and asked, ‘Are you sure you’re supposed to be here?’ I ended up finishing third that day. Moments like that taught me that equipment helps, but hard work, fitness and determination matter even more.”
His progression from finishing in the last 25% three years ago to podiums required intense dedication.
“The riders I’m competing with now have been racing for a very long time, so I’ve had to push extra hard to catch up to their fitness level and technical skills.
“When they first presented me with a Western Cape cycling jersey, it was an incredibly proud moment, to know I was in the top three of the Western Cape for my age. Getting on the podium wearing the Western Cape outfit was a great achievement.”
Looking ahead, his goals remain ambitious. “I am looking forward to competing next year at the finals and trying to get first place for the Western Cape.”
He recently earned colours for cross-country marathon and aims for cross-country Olympic colours next year.
Zac will attend Newberry House School at Lourensford next year. His immediate focus includes the Trail Seeker race in January and February’s Xterra triathlon, where he finished third in the under-16 category last year despite only being 12 years of age.
