09 Nov 2016

Road biker Bernardo Ayuso capped a fine weekend with an emphatic victory in the annual Botswana National Road Race championships.

Ayuso is the only winner the championship has ever known since its inception in 2012.

The sensational rider from the Bernado Ayuso cycling Foundation is undoubtedly in fine form grabbing every local cycling contest that comes his way.

Ayuso, the only professional rider locally plying his trade in the professional ranks with Team Gomur in the northern city of Spain Bilbao, faced stiff competition from his usual bitter rivals, Lulu Telekelo and Bright Chipongo. It was a sigh of relief for Ayuso as last year’s runner-up Boipuso Masepe could not make it to the competition.

The interesting 124 kilometres race ended in an expected photo finish as the three competitors hit the finish line after an impressive 2hours and 50 minutes of riding.

 At some sections of the descending slopes along the Taung hill top intersections, Aleck Musariri and Thabo Pono broke away from the rest of the pack but Ayuso’s endurance helped him drop the duo immediately after the first lap with Telekelo and Chipongo closing in.

Ayuso kept his cool head letting the duo to dictate the pedal speed but the entire pack watched in disbelief during the last ten kilometres when the three went for a spectacular finish.

In the vet men category, John Benner finished first followed by Shawn Brewer and Mark Colly. Enterprising off road biker Thato Madimabe was crowned the champion in the under 23 124km race with James Masimo following in behind him. In the 60km junior girls category, Tsaone Latiwa arrived first followed by Reneilwe Mabeo. In the 90km junior boys, Thabiso Mokalake arrived first followed by Ronald Chimbengo and Oabile Tingwane.

 Publicity Secretary of Botswana Cycling Association Kagiso Potongwane said they were impressed by the overall organisation of the event which marked the closure of the association’s cycling calendar. ENDS