27 Jul 2020

Abeng Malete and Gontse Lethokwe over the weekend won the COVID-19 Sprint three stage road and mountain bike (MTB) races respectively. 

Malete of Jwaneng Cycling Club, who admitted to have struggled with training after lockdown completed all three stages in 3:02:51. 

The first 45km road series was four loops on July 4 in Rasesa route, whilst the second road stage was on July 11 in Kopong/Lentsweletau route. 

Malete explained that although he did a short time in the first series, with 58:42, he was not happy with his average speed, but he was content with his average power. 

Although he survived the Kopong/Lentsweletau route, which he did in 1:03:20, Malete noted that the route was challenging for him with its hills and climbs. 

“I am not really good in climbs but I tried my best,” he stated. 

He wrapped the 45km final series on Sunday on Boatle/Mmankgodi route in a smooth 1 hour 49 seconds, not surprising as it is his playground. 

“This one is my territory, it is my home ground, which I train on when I am home,” he gushed. 

In the MTB series, in-form Lethokwe of TeamSwift did an overall finish of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 30 seconds. 

He finished his first 25km MTB series in 49 minutes, 45 seconds in the Gaborone North through to Kopong trails, whilst the second was 52 minutes and 37 seconds in Kgale area, and wrapped the last series on 47 minutes 10 seconds on Notwane bush track route. 

“The last sprint race was an easy climb and descend and I rode on normal speed on flats and intense speed on climbs and just let the bike roll on descend,” stated Lethokwe, saying he did not use much effort on his last sprint race. 

He admitted to struggle in his usual training, however indicated that the three series gave him an opportunity to get back on training schedule following the lockdown. 

For Tsela Riders’ Lebopo Mompe, who raced both road and MTB, the series was a little tough as he had to fall out on one race after another. However, he said his in-house training schedule during lockdown worked in his favour. 

“Even though the routes were short, I managed to do very well and got in the top five overall of the series,” stated Mompe saying his performance is an indication that he is ready to compete with the big guys. 

Matlhogonolo Botlhole of JonMol Cycling club in Ramotswa, who prior to lockdown was in Cape Town World Cycling Centre (WCC) on a Botswana Cycling Association (BCA) training programme, registered an overall finish of 3 hours 15 minutes and 19 seconds on road series. 

As a junior athlete, Botlhole said his aim has always been to compete with the best in local cycling and the COVID-19 Sprint series had afforded him the opportunity to do that. 

He added that his training in Cape Town helped in his approach to the races, adding that there is a huge difference as Botswana has more flats routes than in Cape Town, where there is hillier terrain. 

“More cadence is needed on hilly terrains and with flats we use more power,” stated Botlhole, adding that is what helped him achieve his best time in the COVID-19 Sprint Series. 

Organiser of the series, Gobona Mantle expressed gratitude to the riders for the success of the event amid restrictions. 

She said top riders’ fitness showed signs of prolonged lack of competitive cycling, hence registering times that could have been improved in regular competitive events.  Mantle said the COVID-19 Sprint Series provided a baseline for riders, going forward in cycling competitions. Ends