09 Oct 2019

 When Matlhogonolo ‘Lobengula’  Botlhole first saw cyclists riding past his family homestead in Ramotswa five years ago, he was gripped by fascination and sheer awe.

However, never did it cross the lad’s mind that he could one day make it to the tracks among Botswana’s finest road and mountain bike riders, let alone make up the national squad to represent the country in major meets.

As such, Lobengula’s story is likely to convince those who do not buy into ‘rags to riches’ or ‘fanatics turning into stars’ kind of stories.

Growing up in the dusty streets of Ramotswa, Botlhole used to watch riders passing by his parents’ home, which regular occurrence developed into a hobby.

The hobby went on for years without the youngster making any effort despite the establishment of Jonmol Cycling Club in the village.

Sport being addictive like a drug, Lobengula felt the urge to do more than just watch cyclists pass by.

That is when he  approached the founders of the club.

Upon his arrival at Jonmol, the now 17-year-old lad was taken through trials and given his hunger to ride, he was affiliated and immediately started training. 

He was put into intensive basic training of the bicycle, and his commitment and dedication proved to be just what the doctor ordered for the trade.

Alongside other young riders they scored a one year sponsorship contract with KPMG Consultants.

This was the beginning of good things for Lobengula as he started doing well in the youth category and made his mark.

He has competed at high level races such as All Africa Youth Championships in Algeria in 2018.

This is despite Lobengula’s notion that cycling in Botswana is still at infancy stage.

Jonmol Cycling Club’s Coach Karabo Moletsane said in an interview recently that the young lad came into the club with no experience whatsoever in cycling.

“He did not have an experience that could put him in any competition,” noted Moletsane.

The coach added that they put him in the youth category in their development stage, ‘and he is still in the development stage’.

Moletsane however highlighted that Lobengula has a bright future in cycling, attributing his victory during the Mascom 120km challenge in the Junior category recently to his dedication to training.

With a couple of championship titles on his pedal, Moletsane said his club had plans for their talented riders.
 

“We help them with training programmes and funds permitting we assist our riders with registration for races,” stated Moletsane.

As a developing club, Moletsane said they strive to provide proper physical and mental training.

They recently had a training programme with South African professional cyclist Nolan Hoffman.

Moletsane indicated that the results were evident in their riders performance even during training.

Sharing his insight on how best they could be assisted as riders, Botlhole said training needed to be given serious attention as it was key to winning races.

He said there was need to focus more on training to allow riders to perform impressively at high level races as such events were important for their profiles.

The 2018 Individual Time Trial Road National Champion further added that the support of parents was imperative in the success of cyclists.

“Family should be abreast with cycling activities and motivate the children,” he said, adding that for him convincing his parents was never a big deal as they immediately realised how important the sport was to their boy and fully threw their weight behind their star peddler.

Knowing that Rome was not built in a day, the young peddler worked harder and harder over time to be where he is today.

“When he started, he narrates how the road was difficult and challenging as he would often fall off the bicycle. At some point he was involved in an accident,” stated his mother Karabo Botlhole.

She admitted that unlike her husband, at first she was not keen about his boy’s passion, but given his fortitude she eventually accepted and supported him.

Today, they are the proud parents and all they wish for him is to excel and do more in his quest to become a professional biker.

The youthful rider’s aim is to become a National Champion in any of the cycling disciplines and earn stripes, both regionally and continentally.

His dream is not in any way farfetched given his performance during Mascom 120km Cycling Challenge Junior Category last month, where he finished in a time of 2:58:32 with an average speed of 40km/h.

He cited his triumph to intensive training with Hoffman.

“It was a totally different experience for me, especially with the feeding pattern during the race.

Basically, diet is important to a cyclist wishing to turn professional,” noted Botlhole.

He said coaches Moletsane and Jerry Kokwane’s taxing training programmes had always been rewarding as they turned him into a reputable rider he is.

While crediting his carbon bicycle for carrying him through the races, Lobengula said determination, dedication and discipline were also essential to the trade.  ENDS