09 Jun 2016

Gem Diamonds Kalahari Challenge MTB Race has set a new record of expected cyclists ahead of the race that starts at Lions Park today.

The race director, Seasmus O’Neill said they had recorded 370 cyclists who would take part in the race, which is 70 cyclists over the target they set, while breaking the 220 of the number they recorded last year.

O’Neill said the number speaks volume about the standard of the race. He said the race had grown over the 18 years since its establishment.

He said 250 of the best MTB racers were expected from South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.He also highlighted that last year’s defending champions, Alan Gordon and Gordon Gilbert (SATIB Africa Botswana) would grace the event.

He further said Botswana best riders like team Timothy Hammond from Francistown, team Jabulani and Shawn Breuer would also take part in the race.

“This is a top MTB cycling event in Botswana and one of the top 10 races in Southern Africa, which is the reason why best of cyclists have come aboard,” he said. O’Neill said the mood of the cyclist was on fine form, with all of them healthy and ready for the race. 

He also said they expect nothing but the best performances from the cyclists with a good competition between them.

He said the race was a unique off- road event which was hosted in the bush velds, with a very unique road through villages that would challenge cyclists as they ride through.

The race will take place over three days, starting today with the final lap on Sunday making a total ground coverage of 247 kilometers. O’Neill said the race would start at Lions Park at 7 am going through Kgale past Gaborone Dam to Notwane and Manyana. He said they would break for the camp fire near Ranaka. 

On the second day, he said the route would go through Ntlhatlhe past Mogabane Dam before heading to Lekgolobotlho through Ranaka valley and then back to the campsite at Ranaka.

On the last day, he said riders would leave Ranaka in the morning to Lekgolobotlho then Boatle,  Ramotswa before heading to the final point, Lions Park. Cyclists are expected at the finishing point at 11am. ENDS