Yesterday’s annual ‘Top Bike’ event for primary school children was a chance to leave the classroom and spend the day outdoors riding bikes in Alexandra.

Sport Central and Cycling Southland organised the day, held at Alexandra’s Molyneux Park field and forest track.

Sport Central regional coordinator Jo Knight said it was about participation, teamwork and becoming confident cycling on variable terrain.

More than 300 students in years five to eight from primary schools in Central, Queenstown and Wānaka attended. 

Former Cycling Southland manager, now retired and volunteering at the event Bruce Ross gave the briefing on the skills course at 9.45am. PHOTO: The Central App

Bruce said since Top Bike started about 20 years ago, 17 youngsters from Central Lakes who had participated in Top Bike had gone on to represent New Zealand in various forms of cycling. 

“One of the most recent is Ellesse Andrews, that’s pretty cool.”

Ellesse, who grew up in Wānaka, won a silver medal in the 2020 Olympics in the Women’s keirin event. 

Watch some Clyde School cyclists start a team race, and 12 year old Jai Brabant’s impressive wheelie.

Cromwell Primary School students in year five and six lining up for the team time trial. PHOTO: The Central App

The girls in Goldfields School ‘1’ team were (from left) Nova Tewhata, Eloise Murray and Caitlyn Sinclair (all aged ten). PHOTO: The Central App

Central schools which fielded teams (made up of six boys and girls) or had students joining combined teams were Alexandra Primary School, The Terrace School (TTS), Clyde School, Cromwell College, Omakau School, Poolburn School, Goldfields School, Roxburgh Area School and Cromwell Primary. 

Year seven and eight Clyde School children at the start for the mountain bike course. PHOTO: The Central App

TTS year eight ‘Taipans’ team was Sylvia Barry (12), Asher More (11), Izaak Danischewski (11) and Dylan Brenssell (12). 

Alexandra Primary School bikers were (from left) Maia Conway (10), Sophia Hinsen (10), Gabby Pritchard (9), Felix Carrington (9), Oliver Marshall (9) and Toby Longman (9). PHOTO: The Central App

Activities included a mountain bike team time trial, a challenging skills course and a 400m grass track race.

Lots of parent volunteers and teachers from the schools contributed to the day running smoothly.

Spot prizes were awarded for teams which displayed sportsmanship and teamwork.