CAPE TOWN – Six talented learners from Kleinberg Primary School made their community proud by successfully completing this year’s Cape Town Cycle Tour, held on Sunday, 8 March.
Competing in the under-13 and under-15 categories, all six learners finished their races with some members securing silverware, said school principal, Denzil Van Graan.
“A special congratulations goes to Leena Delcarme, who achieved first place in the under-13 category,” he said.
Alongside her were fellow under-13 cyclists Qhama Ndelehe and Ariana Layters, while Kyo van Niekerk, Aden Fillies, and Cayden Petersen represented the under-15 group.
Delcarme shared her excitement about winning, saying, “I didn’t expect to win the race but I’m grateful for the winner’s medal. The headwinds and hills were difficult.”
Ariana Layters added: “I enjoyed the race and knew I would be able to complete it. The wind on your back helped, but the strong headwinds were tiring. I’m looking forward to next year’s race to improve my finishing times.”
Their achievements have brought immense pride to the school and the Ocean View community said Van Graan who volunteered as a marshall at one of the points along the route, assisting the South Peninsula Rotary Club.
The learners train almost daily with their cycling teams and cycle long distances across different routes of the Cape Peninsula, Van Graan added.
“It’s heartwarming to see the cyclists on their training schedule leaving Ocean View in single file and make you proud to know that our children are competitively participating in such prestigious races, he said.
Cycling helps build valuable traits such as self-discipline, perseverance, and teamwork, he added.
“We are proud of their achievements and as a school we celebrate their successes. I encourage more learners to join the cycling clubs in our community and look forward to greater participation next year in the Cape Town Cycle Tour as well as other club championships and races,” he said.
