WHO'S WORLD OF FANTASY WILL YOU DIVE INTO NEXT?

I have to say, planning how this article would be written was quite a process. Thing is, when speaking about one of my ideas, there tends to be so much information that one could easily get drowned in it.

The Sprint Battle #1 is a race that you certainly do not wanna miss: it’s the first of its kind and our first kids bike race of the year 2021. It specifically targets children between the ages of 2 and 16 years. Categorised, of course.

It is indeed a battle, not just for the podium position but for medals, points, course records and the champion’s cup awarded in September. Done in heats of two, the competitors face each other off on a course of approximately 100m on tarmac with a slight incline for the first few metres.

The original idea had been to play Elimination, but that would have deeply dented one’s chances of recovering the lost points in the attempt to clinch the champion’s title. Instead, each participant will have at least two chances to try gain as many points as they can. Life, really is all about trying again and again, no? Hopefully, this will instil that mentality in our young competitors.

The points are awarded as follows (all inclusive):
10 points for participation;
20 points for completion;
40 points for runner up; and
50 points for the winner… Due to the fact that there are only two competitors per race, there are no points for 3rd place, which would otherwise have been 30 points.

However, the points are awarded for more than just participation and finish position. In the effort to create outstanding athletes, there are extra points for punctuality (5 points), sportsmanship (5 points)…. For the purposes of the Sprint Battle #1, punctuality will be the first extra set of points to be unlocked.

Now, supposing in the first round we have a winner and a runner up. The winner will go on to fight for a place in the Finals, which will be uncontested as he (and she for the girls category) will have maximum points. Please note that time accumulated will be used to classify participants who have the same number of points. Again, this will hopefully instil in our youngsters the importance of a second (hence use time more effectively?)

On the other hand, the runner up will compete against all the others who were runner ups in the first round until an eventual competitor comes out the other end. One will notice, of course, that this one participant will have the same number of points as the athlete who got to the Finals but came second. It is here where the time will be used for the overall ranking. Therefore, even if one comes second in the first round, they still have a chance for overall podium position. Awesome, right?

Medals will be awarded to the overall leaders of the day based on points and the time accumulated.

Certificates of COMPLETION will be awarded to all participants who successfully crossed the finish line. This implies that the person/child started and saw it to the end, and that is a quality that Duo-Bearings Africa, through the Cycling Academy, intends to develop.

In addition, the winners of each category will get 5 free skating sessions in the speed track by Skate Dream Africa; and all podium positions will get 50% off for the first two weeks in the Cycling Academy (see poster below).

For tips on how to be an efficient sprinter, please read one of our previous articles: (https://rightfullyconvictedtolifebehindhandlebars.sport.blog/2021/02/01/introduction-to-sprinting-how-efficient-are-you/)

Being such a vigourous race, it is vitally important for one to have a properly functioning bike, no? In fact, among the rules is a mandatory bike check. That said, during the week to race day (15th-19th March), participants are encouraged to bring their bikes to the Two Rivers Sports District for a FREE bike check and tune up. This will be done by Dominion Cycles, the Academy’s (and Decathlon’s official) bike repair and clinic partner.

Note, however, that should the bike require a part replacement, that will need to be purchased.

Registration closes on 18th March 2020.

The Sprint Battle #1 marks the beginning of our racing season, which will end in September during the Grand Prize Giving. It is here that the defending champions of the year will be announced and crowned, and whether or not they hold onto their titles come the next racing season (January to September) will depend on how well they defend it.

I think in one of our next articles, we will talk about the Cycling Academy at the Two Rivers Sports District that is being run by Duo-Bearings Africa in partnership with Swim Africa Limited. One might just find that whatever your level of cycling, the Academy has thought of you😉, and is more than ready to take you on.

In case you would like to come practise your sprinting skills in preparation for the Battle, we are open on the weekends from 0830h to late. During the school holidays, however, we’ll be open daily.

For more information, please contact +254 707 047 249, or email duobearingsafrica@gmail.com