04 Sep 2019

South African cyclist, Nolan Hoffman, is on a week-long programme to empower local riders with cycling skills and fitness tips.

Hoffman, who will be working with the Ramotswa based JonMol Cycling Club, said he had seen a lot of riders riding without the necessary skills during races.

As a regular in Botswana cycling events, Hoffman said he realised the need to develop the riders and enhance their riding skills and bicycle set-ups.

He said although he would not be able to help all riders in a week, he would focus on the juniors and Under 23 who would be taking part in the Mascom 120km cycling challenge scheduled for Sunday.

He expressed hope that the week-long training would help riders with basic critical skills that he would be sharing.

Hoffman said the training programme would cover nutrition, bicycle set-up and various skills necessary for cycling.

For his part, public relations officer of JonMol, Kenneth Ramosala said as a developing club they expected a broader perspective in terms of the technical approach to races. Ramosala said their riders did well during training but failed to perform at competitive races.

He added that they expected change in cycling behaviour like discipline, feeding, mental strength and technical skills during races as they would be training alongside Hoffman. Ramosala noted that the training programme was for JonMol juniors and Under 23 riders. He, however, said in future they would consider including other local riders, adding that they appreciated professional cyclists like Hoffman to assist cycling in Botswana.

He said without the level of competition and professionalism from such cyclists, local riders would not grow, especially that cycling in Botswana was still coming of age. He emphasised the need for young riders to have exposure in order to compete in continental races. ENDS