Cape Town recently played host to Africa’s only UCI World Pump Track Championships Qualifier on Sunday, offering riders from across the country and the continent a rare chance to compete for a place in the World Championship Finals.
A pump track is a purpose-built track for cycling, and has a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders "pumping"—generating momentum by moving their body up and down, instead of pedaling or pushing.
This year’s event took place at Generation Schools Sandown Institute in Cape Town, marking the first time the qualifier has been hosted in the Western Cape, following previous editions in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Designed by Velosolutions and its CEO, Claudio Caluori, the Generation Schools Sandown track is known for its tight, technical layout, making it one of the most challenging pump tracks in the world.
Riders had to navigate multiple transfer options and challenging “wind engines” that tested both speed and skill, ensuring a thrilling race for competitors and spectators alike.
Some of South Africa’s best talent competed, including Olympian BMX racer Miyanda Maseti and former World Cup finalist, Chile’s Sebastián Méndez, as they battled it out to secure a place at the World Championships.
Both of them qualified first for the World Championships in the Women and Men’s division.
Local event director, Thomas Hendry, said that it was amazing to host an event of such a calibre.
“Although pump track racing is a new discipline, the riders continue to push limits and compete for the UCI rainbow jersey. It's an all action event with riders pushing limits.
“We have plans within the country to start provincial pump track series as well as a national series. The key would be to line these up alongside other national legs to attract more riders,” Hendry said.
“We are already in talks to host the event next year.”
Hendry added that one of the lessons they learned through the event is that preparation is key, to control the controllable, and that it is necessary to “pray the Cape Town weather gods are on your side”.
“I think the event was great exposure for our young athletes and a great opportunity for them to share the track with Olympians and world championship challengers.
“For now the riders will continue with their regular disciplines until the provincial series is up and running. I'm hoping we can host the events at Blaauwklippen, Crosswinds, Langa and Phillippi tracks this year.”
CEO of Generation Schools, Jevron Epstein, said that hosting an international event of such a calibre “is an incredible opportunity to inspire our students and the broader community”.
“It aligns perfectly with our vision of providing world-class experiences that broaden horizons, instil a love for sports, and showcase the power of perseverance and dedication.”
For aspiring young athletes, this event represents more than just a competition - it’s a chance to prove themselves on an international stage.
In 2024, a development rider from KwaMashu in KZN made history by qualifying for the World Championship Final, demonstrating that South African riders have the talent and determination to compete at the highest level.
Olympian BMX racer, Maseti said that she was grateful to have the experience.
“It was so amazing!! I started my redemption arc in pump track, and I am so proud of myself for slowly getting over my fears, and allowing myself the chance to get comfort again on the pump track.
“I had a great time on and off track…It was really cool to go up against everyone and to see where I fit amongst the best we have. I enjoyed spending time with everyone and seeing how everyone interpreted and rode the track.
Maseti said that she got into BMX racing because of her older brother, and was driven by the need to beat him for the longest of times.
“But that’s where the love of my sport came from. I loved seeing the progress I was making, especially seeing the hard work paying off. And the fact that I get to enjoy the process of becoming so much and have so much fun while doing it is a blessing.
“My dad always told me that ‘persistence always wears down resistance’ and it has been true for me in every instance of any success I achieved. I know now to be patient and never give up because my time will come,” Maseti said.
“I always try to be proud of myself regardless of my achievements. I am proud of myself every day for showing up and working hard, but the achievement is a nice bonus.
Maseti said that ultimately “not to sound arrogant, I want to win”.
“But I want to prove a lot of people wrong, and most importantly, I want to prove myself right. What’s next for me is a whole lot of hard work and persistence.”
Méndez added that it was his first time in Cape Town, and he would come back to enjoy the city more.
“The event was entertaining, the track was very fast, and the wind made it difficult… Since I come from a city where there is no pump track and it rains most of the year, everything I have achieved in my sports career has been thanks to my sacrifice, perseverance, and consistency.
“I started BMX racing at the age of 8, and pump tracking since 2018. What I enjoy most is competing and traveling around the world with my bike, discovering new places.
“It's always exciting to compete with new riders. I was amazed to see the kids riding the pump track so fast. Pump track has a bright future ahead for South Africa.
“The pump track atmosphere is great because, above all, we all enjoy the same thing, and the competitive environment is healthy,” Méndez said.
“I would like to tell everyone who reads this to fight for their dreams, nothing is impossible, and above all, to enjoy the process.”
As for what comes next for Méndez, he said that his focus will be on the world pump track championship, “to do a good preparation and be able to win a medal”.