31 May 2016

Barend Burger of Clover Cycling Club and Anouk Van der Geest of Tsela Riders led the 100km Tsela Riders Classic cycling challenge in Lobatse on May 29. 

South African cyclist, Burger crossed the finishing line way ahead of the peloton. Burger broke off from the peloton striding a lone cycle on the last 25 km to finish his race in 2 hours 44 minutes. The race was done under four loops with a distance of 25 km each loop.

Piet Lauscher came second under 2 hours 46 minutes on a close call against Amogelang Thwabi with a split second difference.

While from Tsela Riders, Van der Geest was the first lady to arrive in 2 hours 49 minutes time, who all along was the only female in the pelotons. She did her 10km race in 2 hours 49 minutes.

On second place was Natalie Cloete with a 3 hours 16 minutes time, while Promise Ntshese arrived on third position.

Tsela Riders Classic cycling challenge organiser Charls Vaughan was ecstatic with the turn up and how the race turned out announcing it as a success.

He said the challenge was a three day event with four different races, he explained that first day of the challenge was a time trial which is known as fast and furious. He said cyclers rode considering the time taken to finish the race.

Then second day was in Ramotswa, where he said cyclists rode from Taung to Mankgodi whereupon they had to ascend the Taung hill five times.

“That is where the cyclists felt the challenge, because ascending a steep hill with a bicycle is quite a challenge,” he said.

He further said late in the afternoon on May 28 cyclers did what is called a Criterium where by cycler’s race in a circuit in a knockout basis.

In regard with ladies quota racers low turn up, he explained that they always try to recruit more women to participate, however overtime they fail to keep them active in the sport citing a lot of social commitment as a major barrier.

He also addressed challenges they faced as one during the preparations due to a miscommunication between the organising committee and their prospective sponsors. He said fortunately one of the cyclists came to their rescue hence staging a successful meet.

He further said their intension as the organising committee was to develop the race into an international event. He also shared his worry about the relationship between motorists and cyclists on the road, adding there is a lot more to educate motorists about sharing the road with cyclists.

On other events, Stephan Ryneke of team Clover won the uphill race in 2 hours, on second place Burger came 16 minutes later and lastly Zimbabwean Nkulumu Dube on third place.

While on the ladies side Van der Geest came first under 2 hours 6 minutes, followed by Promise Ntshebe of Railways cycling club with 2 hours 26 minutes. On third place was Bakang Ebudilwe. Ends