Relive the Action.The world’s best pump track riders descended upon KwaMashu, a vibrant township on Durban’s north coast, to battle for top honours at the 2024 Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships. After fiercely competitive events in both the Men’s and Women’s categories, Ryan Gilchrist from Australia and Sabina Košárková from the Czech Republic demonstrated exceptional speed, skill, and determination to claim the coveted rainbow stripes in their respective categories.

Men’s final was an all-Aussie showdown between Ryan Gilchrist and AJ Donald, who had advanced through intense rounds. In the small final, 2023 World Champion Alec Bob (USA) defeated Eddy Clerte (FRA) to secure third place, leaving Clerte in fourth.

The crowd watched in anticipation as these elite riders went head-to-head, each determined to claim the top podium position. In the final, Gilchrist put down the fastest lap of the day, 17.028 seconds to take the top spot.

Gilchrist is the first mountain biker since Tommy Zula at the inaugural Pump Track World Championships to take top honours.

In the Women’s final, Sabina Košárková and Nadine Aeberhard (SUI) competed with equal intensity, pushing each other to the limit. In the earlier semi-final, they posted stronger times than Vineta Petersone (LAT) and Kristina Madarásová (SVK) who finished in third and fourth respectively.

The Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships, in partnership with Pump for Peace and GO!Durban Academy, brought together 64 athletes from 16 countries in KwaMashu. Leading up to the main event, a week-long program of clinics and local tours allowed competitors to experience the natural beauty, culture, and energy of the City of eThekwini.

Photos by Dan Griffiths

http://pumptrackworldchampionships.com