18 Jul 2013

At least 315 riders are expected to complete in the 190 kilometres rocky terrain in the annual Kalahari Mountain Bike Challenge on Saturday.

The off-road race, undoubtedly the most captivating race in the local cycling calendar is expected to attract stiff competitors from across the Southern African region with at least half of the participants coming from South Africa.

Despite the absence of the Kenyan duo of David Kanja and David Kamau who have been on pole position on team’s category in the last two editions, an intense battle is expected between the South African pair of 24/Seven and Jabu Tabulane with new entrant Thato Madimabe.

The 19-year-old Madimabe came in as a perfect replacement for the injured Tumisang Ramasankate.

Reigning champion in solo entry and also off-road veteran Nevelle Van Zyl is expected to defend his title against the likes of Timothy Hammond from Francistown.

Hammond narrowly lost the race to Van Zyl after being lost on the thickets last year.  The main sponsors of this year’s race are My Spar Botswana with over P150 000. Other sponsors are Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) and Mascom wireless. ENDS