30 Nov 2020

Abeng Malete is the overall winner of the Vunani Fund Managers Series race, which ended in Rasesa on November 29.

Malete of Jwaneng Cycling Club, which dominated the race series, won two of the stage races that started in October, and consolidated his winnings in the final event in Rasesa.

He registered a series total of 6:29:20 followed by his team mate Lebone Rammidi with a total series time of 6:20:45, while Matlhogonolo Botlhole of Jonmol clocked 6:31:31 for third position.

The last stage victory went to Botlhole, after he and Malete went head to head in a sprint and both clocked 2:53:48:7, but Botlhole secured the last stage with a brilliant bike throw.

Thabiso Mokalake of Team Swift Cycling Club came in third, with a time finish of 2:53:49:1; and the trio was riding the 117km route at an average speed of 40.4km/h each.  

Olympic hopeful, Bakang Ebudilwe of Tsela Riders stopped the clock in 3:00:13:9 to secure a comfortable victory stage in the women’s category ahead of Nonofo Maswabi of Jwaneng Cycling Club and Naomi Sephekolo of Tsela Riders with 3:18:16:4 and 3:57:33:5 respectively. Ebudilwe posted an average speed of 39.0km/h against Maswabi’s pace of 35.4km/h while  Sephekolo did an average speed of 29.6km/h.

In an interview with Jwaneng Cycling Club coach Themba Matebu, he noted that their victory was a result of a team effort in their trainings as well as races. Matebu indicated that his team prepared for this race series by constantly and consistently doing 120km training rides on weekends. He said during the week, the team embarked on interval rides of one hour, as well as use indoor trainings and complemented their trainings with gym exercise.

Matebu also said team work during the race contributed a great deal in the victory of the Vunani Fund Managers Race series. He said before the race, members strategised and discussed their race plan, which he happily noted was executed efficiently in all the stage races.

The Vunani Find Managers Race series offered riders an opportunity to get their momentum back following the lockdowns. Kabelo Kwape, one of the organisers indicated that this race series also gave riders a series of activities to prepare them for the coming Botswana Cycling Association’s (BCA) National Championships; Individual Time Trials, Road Race and Mountain Bike (MTB) races as well as preparing them for the 2021 cycling activities.

Kwape commended participants of the race series, saying because of their cooperation they did not experience any incidents that could have otherwise disturbed the race logistics and organisation.

He also indicated that they took into consideration the route distances, looking at the fact that riders had not been too current this cycling season.

Vunani Fund Managers Series Race hosted by Team Swift Cycling Club was sponsored by Vunani Fund Managers, Pula Medical Aid, Climate Control, Yarona fm, Air Botswana, Monsieur, GLOO, 32GI as well as D’s Damat.  ENDS