The 2015 South African National BMX Championships saw elite men’s shining star Kyle Dodd confirm his wrist injury woes are finally a thing of the past and his quest to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games remains on track after he successfully defended his national title at his home club, Alrode BMX Club in Alberton, Gauteng despite a strong challenge from a flying Alex Limberg.
Jeep Team’s Kyle Dodd claimed his third consecutive elite men’s national title when he overcame the rest of the field at the South African National BMX Championships at Alrode BMX Club, Alberton © Darren Goddard
Dodd suffered a crippling wrist injury in April and after many months of rehabilitation the young star signalled his return to action in emphatic fashion on Sunday as he charged to his third successive elite men’s national title.
“It really, really feels good to have defended my national title!” beamed the Jeep Team rider. “The last little while has been quite a difficult time and it is great to finally be back!
“Of my three titles this is probably the sweetest one yet because Alex (Limberg) really made me work hard for this one while it is also a huge confidence boost to get the ‘W’ after my injury layoff!” added Dodd.
Lauren Coetzee was in a league of her own when she powered to victory in the 15 Years & Older Girls tussle at the South African National BMX Championships at Alrode BMX Club, Alberton © Darren Goddard
Dodd started the day positively with victory in the first of three motos however a determined Limberg then edged out his fellow clubman in the second and third moto to setup a mouth watering prospective finale.
“It was such a stressful day for me,” explained Dodd. “I knew Alex would be quick because he has been flying all weekend but I thought I’d still be able to find a way around him in the motos.
“He had an amazing start in both of the last two motos and good track speed though and there was just no way around him.
Alex Dolman in action as he claims victory in the 15 Years Boys clash at the South African National BMX Championships at Alrode BMX Club, Alberton © Darren Goddard
“Going into the break before the final I was quite stressed as I knew the final was going to come down to whoever got into that first corner first!
“Fortunately it all worked out for me in the end though and thankfully I was able to get the win!”
While many eyes were on the fascinating elite men’s showdown, especially as the battle for vital UCI points heats up ahead Rio 2016, the country’s next generation of emerging young stars also went head to head at Alrode on Sunday.
Dylan Eggar rewrote the South African BMX history books when he claimed his eleventh consecutive national title by winning the 16 Years Boys clash at the South African National BMX Championships at Alrode BMX Club, Alberton © Darren Goddard
The standout performer amongst the nation’s next generation of stars was 16 Years Boys flyer Dylan Eggar who rewrote the history books when he charged to a national record eleventh consecutive South African title.
The world number seven’s remarkable ability is underlined by the fact that his most recent title now sees him one go one better than the likes of Dodd himself as well as High Performance coach Jonathan Chislett with whom Eggar shared the honour with previously.
Kita Uys was in sublime form as she claimed the national title in the 9-12 Years Girls crown at the South African National BMX Championships at Alrode BMX Club, Alberton © Darren Goddard
Connor Terblanche was another to reiterate just why he is ranked fifth in the world in his age group as he charged to victory in the 13 Years Boys clash while the fairer gender’s spoils went to Kyla Uys (8 Years & Under Girls), Kita Uys (9-12 Years Girls) and Lauren Coetzee (15 Years & Over Girls) respectively.
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Summary of Results – 2015 SA NATIONAL BMX Championships
ELITE MEN
1.Kyle Dodd
2.Tyler Klumper
3.Godfrey Buziba
17-24 YEARS MEN
1.Brandon Pratt
2.Kane Herbert
3.Lloyd Dodd
15 YEARS & OVER GIRLS
1.Lauren Coetzee
2.Stacey Bryant
3.Amber Muller
16 YEARS BOYS
1.Dylan Eggar
2.Taine Bambrough
3.Wonderboy Mjoli
15 YEARS BOYS
1.Alex Dolman
2.Jason O’Shea
3.Liam Trusler
14 YEARS BOYS
1.Cameron Turck
2.Jayden Lang
3.Jarod Ellse
13 YEARS BOYS
1.Connor Terblanche
2.Kai Brett
3.Ethan Kashula
12 YEARS BOYS
1.Ethan Goveia
2.Andrew Killian
3.Rob Moore
11 YEARS BOYS
1.Joshua Wright
2.Mathew Pieters
3.Carson Norman
10 YEARS BOYS
1.Kaiden Keyser
2.Ross Kew
3.Kyle Preston
9 YEARS BOYS
1.Brent Johnson
2.Jake Jansen
3.Ryan Lemmer
30-39 YEARS CRUISER MEN
1.Michael Lewis
2.Darryn Stow
3.Justin Robertson
40 YEARS & OVER CRUISER MEN
1.Tim O’Brien
2.Wayne Beadsworth
3.William Jackson
9-12 YEARS GIRLS
1.Kita Uys
2.Kaylin Smith
3.Delia Greyling
8 YEARS BOYS
1.Braden Schutte
2.Andrew Posthumus
3.Marco Cherti
7 YEARS BOYS
1.Deagan McCallum
2.Vaughn Preston
3.Salvador Cronje
8 YEARS & UNDER GIRLS
1.Kyla Uys
2.Taytum Gould
3.Anke Norman
Well done!