JEFFREYS BAY – A decade after taking up cycling to rehabilitate his back following his third operation, Jeffreys Bay police Captain Gerhard Claassen has pedalled his way into the 2026 SAPS National Mountain Bike Team.

Claassen, based at the Jeffreys Bay Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), secured his spot in the 2026 SAPS National Mountain Bike Team following a stellar performance at the SAPS National Mountain Bike Championships.

The gruelling four-day competition took place at Lake Eland in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal, from 24 to 27 August.

Competing in the highly competitive 55–59 age category, Claassen dominated the field across four demanding events, bringing home a total of four medals:

• Silver medal: Prologue (6 km lap)

• Silver medal: Hill Climb (6 km)

• Silver medal: Cross Country (4 x 5 km laps)

• Bronze medal: Marathon (40 km)

Claassen, who still serves on active operational standby duties, took up cycling 10 years ago as a form of rehabilitation following his third back operation.

“I believe that as a member and an officer, I can influence our younger members to get involved in sport,” said Claassen.

“It is vital for staying healthy and offers an essential release to take our minds off an incredibly stressful work environment.”

The Eastern Cape’s cycling prowess was further cemented as Claassen and Detective Warrant Officer Donavan O’Reilly (overall first in all categories and male champion for 2026) from the KuGompo SAPS (formerly Fleet Street SAPS) were the only two cyclists from the province selected for the elite 2026 SAPS National Mountain Bike Team.

The national team is scheduled to represent the SAPS at the upcoming Seweweekspoort Mountain Bike Challenge on 3 October.

Remarkably, the Eastern Cape riders achieved these milestones entirely through personal grit and determination, funding the entire tournament out of their own pockets without financial assistance from the department.

They are looking forward to proudly flying the SAPS and Eastern Cape flags at the national event in October.

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