South African teenager Luke Moir is heading into the 2020 season as the world’s top-ranked junior cross-country Olympic (XCO) rider, according to the latest UCI rankings.
The ranking system is based on races around the world – over a period of a year – in which riders can earn UCI points.
This is the final year as a junior for the 17-year-old, who finished fifth in his cross-country race at the world champs in Canada last year despite getting a puncture on the last lap.
“It’s pretty awesome to be at the top of the list and have the number one board for some races,” said Moir.
Luke Moir is currently the world’s top-ranked junior cross-country Olympic (XCO) rider, according to the latest UCI rankings. Photo: Chris Hitchcock
“This achievement has been in the back of my mind for about four years now and was one of my main goals in my career, especially because you’re only in the junior category for two years.”
Moir said this achievement meant he was clearly doing certain things right.
“Obviously there’s a lot more to be done for what I’m hoping for.
“I’d like to end off my final year as a junior the best I can. I want to try to maintain a top-five in the rankings to secure a front-row start at world champs in Germany in June.
“My year has some of the fastest riders the junior category has seen so it’s going to be extremely tough. But I’m up for the challenge,” said the South African College School pupil.
Moir felt the challenge of moving up to the U23 category would be to get his ranking back up, since as a first year he would start from the back.
“In order to get my ranking up I’m going to have to compete in as many of the world cups as possible. The biggest challenge here is financial as the events are overseas and they are expensive to get to.
“I’m however looking to travelling and spending longer periods of time overseas competing and training as I will be done with school.
“I’m also really looking forward to the crowds at the world cups as the loud cheering makes you want to race harder.”
Moir has set some specific short- and long-term goals.
“Short-term I’m wanting to become a world champ and long-term I would like to be an Olympic athlete.”
His advice to those interested in pursuing the MTB discipline is that skills and techniques are much more important than worrying about how fit you are when you are young.
“Getting fit takes a couple months while getting good skills never stops.”
