MTB program gives local girls the winning edge

A pair of young locals were part of a group of South West competitors who brought home top placings from the recent 2024 AusCycling MTB Enduro National and Oceania Championships held at Wellington National Park in Collie.

Marking the first time a national-level enduro event was held in WA, local riders seized the opportunity to shine on both national and international stages.

Dunsborough riders Payton Schult and Lea Murray collected first and second place respectively in the U11 girls event, while Margaret River’s Roly Kyme represented the region with a strong fifth place finish in the Oceania Championships.

His skill carried over to the Australian National Championships, where he placed second in the men’s elite field on Sunday. In the elite women’s division, Jahla Tosh put forth a stellar ride to secure fifth place.

Saturday saw junior and E-bike categories tackle the trails. The South West’s young talent stood out, with Meg McKenzie taking second in the U17 girls and Sage Dingey earning third in U15. Local junior boys performed strongly, with Tommy Lukac claiming third and Travis Smith fifth in the U15 division, while Mitch Delfs placed fourth in the E-bike category.

Payton Schult trains with the Cape Mountain Bikers Grassroots MTB program in Dunsborough. The program provides mountain bike skills coaching sessions and trail rides for children aged 7 to 16 years old. Everyone working in the program is a volunteer. Coaches are all qualified to at least PMBIA L1 (AusCycling Development Instructor) level.

More info at www.capemountainbikers.asn.au/grassroots.html