27 Oct 2020

Vunani Fund Manager Cycle series organiser, David Lebalelo says riders displayed impressive performance in the first two stages of the series.

The series started with Individual Time Trials (ITT) and a 30km Criterium race over the weekend in Gaborone.

“The riders’ performance shows they came prepared for the two races,” said Lebalelo, adding that their performance proved that they had been working hard despite COVID-19.  

He said there was tough competition during the race.

With title contenders such as Jwaneng Cycling Club’s Abeng Malete and Lebone Rammidi, JonMol’s Matlhogonolo Botlhole, Tsela Riders’ Lebopo Mompe and Junaid Noor, Team Swift’s

Lylod Molale and Carlyn Watson-Ben of Botrail club among others in the men’s category as well as Nonofo Maswabi of Jwaneng Cycling club, Anouk van der Geest and Bakang Ebudilwe both of Tsela Riders in the ladies category; Lebalelo said it was not easy to predict overall winner.

The last two stages, he said were expected to be competitive as riders battle it out for the winner of the series title.

The 100km road race, which will start at JB Sports at Commerce Park going into A1 to Mmankgodi, will be on November 8 while the 120km road race starting in Rasesa, will be on November 29.

“The next two races will need intense training and if I train more often, I could perform better and possibly beat my time,” said 13-year-old Watson-Ben.

Watson-Ben finished his 13 laps of the Criterium stage with 1:11:14 whilst his ITT was 22:06.

He said the stages were tough as he ran with  fast riders, but managed to keep up and finished in good sprint.

Meanwhile, Malete won the ITT stage with 17:50 in the men’s category and Maswabi led the ladies’ category with 21:58

The Criterium stage male open 19 and over, was won by Rammidi in 1:02:13, Mompe led the male junior 17-18 with 1:04:06, Noor won the male junior 14-16 with 1:20:49.

The female open 19 and over was led by Ebudilwe with 1:05:07 and female 13 and under was led by Sekao Ntau of Team Swift with 1:22:35. Ends