The Manitoba Cycling Association held it's third and final bike races on Sunday in Sandilands Provincial Park.

Racers with the best accumulative times from three races will be able to compete in the 2016 Manitoba Power Smart Summer Games in Steinbach in August.

Chris Duester is an organizer of the event, and a volunteer coach with the Steinbach Kids of Mud youth cycling program, he says interest in the sport is growing. “We reached our cap this year of 40 kids. We went up from 24 last year.”

The Steinbach Kids of Mud program started in 2009 and is the official youth cycling program of the Manitoba Cycling Association, administered by a group of participating clubs. It's a learn to ride, and learn to race program for kids 16 and under.

Duester says several of the kids have competed in similar races, and the courses are set up according to age bracket. “The kids course is a lot shorter, the adult loop is roughly 7 kilometers. The lengths of the loops are varying lengths for different ages.”

Racers from ages 4 to adult were able to compete in the varying courses that started and ended at Suicide Hill. Duester notes, “There are two mountain biking events being held for the Manitoba Summer Games, a short track is held at a course in Steinbach and the long track version will be held in Sandilands.”

Duester says the Manitoba races pull in competitors and clubs from all over the province. “Basically anyone with their Canadian Cycling Association Licence can compete.”

According to Duester, the event is held rain or shine, and a little rain helps to set up the course perfectly.

For the race results follow this link: http://mbcycling.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/results2016_MBCupSandilands29May.pdf