South Africa announces junior Worlds team

The 2008 UCI Junior World Championships, in Cape Town from July 12 to 20, includes several top South African cyclists who will participate in track, road and time trial events.

The two South African Squads that will be competing against the world's best were recently announced by Cycling South Africa (CSA). The national female road team is made up of Michelle Corbett, Charlotte van der Merwe, Caitlin de Wet and Claire Matthews, with Lorine Jooste and Jeaun-Mari Breytenbach as reserves. The national male road team is Paul de Zweel, Tiaan Swart, Christopher Jennings, Johan van Zyl, Clinton Barrow, Rourke Croeser and Johan van der Merwe. Reserves are Willem Jordaan, Hendrik Kruger and Avery Arendse.

Michelle Corbett will ride the 14.1-kilometre time trial in Wellington, while Paul van Zweel and Tiaan Swart will tackle the junior men's 26.8-kilometre "race of the truth."

The riders who will compete at the Bellville Velodrome during the five-day track events are Michelle Corbett and Natasha Marang representing the females, while Evan Carstens, Gerrit Scheepers, Brandon Christiaans, George Stroebel, Clint Hendricks and Robert du Preez make up the male squad to represent South Africa. The reserve is Avery Arendse.

The time trials are being staged in Wellington, on Friday, July 18, on a closed circuit. The individual road races take place in the streets of Cape Town, on Sunday, July 20. The road race circuit route has a varied profile – with some very tight corners, great long sprint sections as well as steep inclines - through the CBD as well as along the Foreshore and out towards the Southern Suburbs, along scenic De Waal drive and back. The total route for the men is 133.6 kilometres – which means eight laps of the circuit. The women will complete five laps of the circuit, to make up the total distance of 83.5 kilometres.

Around 1500 National Federations from over 50 countries are expected in the Mother City to participate in this international cycling event. For more information go to www.juniorworlds.co.za

(Additional research and assistance provided by Susan Westemeyer).