08 Nov 2021

Kopong King Cobra Mountain Bike (MTB) challenge has returned tougher, challenging and grueling to test riders endurance skills.

Although there had been equally enduring mountain bike races in the country since the last Kopong King Cobra, the Saturday challenge attracted many riders.

The iconic one-day mountain bike race offered two distance options of 55km and 35km routes, making each a diverse event for people of all fitness levels and ages.

Both distance routes provided the necessary ingredients for a quality MTB race with technical challenging sections of hills, rocks and sands, all essential for any cyclist serious about a career in pedalling.

“This is an essential part of training if one needs to be a professional,” emphasised veteran MTB rider, Keith Jefferies.   

Jefferies noted that the Kopong King Cobra was tough, but fun at the same time.

‘In the past it was tough, however today it was tougher and it has not gotten any easier and that is why we do it,’ he said.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, competitive sport such as cycling has not been lucky with sponsorship.

According to Jefferies, investing in cycling was a way of reaching out to a larger population of different backgrounds, age and all groups, adding that cycling was a healthy sport, which appealled to all age groups.

He also applauded organisers for taking cycling races to communities, saying this boosted their socio-economic status while riders also got to appreciate how the communities lived.

Asked about his experience on the Kopong King Cobra because MTB king, Gontse Lethokwe said ‘it was the most amazing mountain race ever with remarkable climbs.’

Lethokwe said he was particularly thrilled by the route, however, he appealed to organisers for more intense technical routes in order to advance skills as well as help and prepare for international competitions.

For Thato Madimabe, the route was thought-provoking than the past ones.

“Today there were more hill climbs that one had to go through without knowing how long the climb is, and the distance to go,” he said. However, the former National MTB champion appealed to organisers to provide route profile earlier before the race to allow them to add to their GPS in case the markings had been tampered with by cattle or rains.  

Lethokwe finished with 2:22:17 making him the winner of the Kopong King Cobra in the 55km elite men’s category, while Lebopo Mompe won the 55km Under 23 men’s category with a finish of 2:26:37. Katlo Ramahobo clocked 1:47:06 to win the 35km youth boys’ category.

The ladies category did not have the 55km Eelite category, however fearless MTB prodigy, Myra Mantle finished 2:04:10 in the 35km youth girls category. Representing women veteran category in the 55km route was Comine Bruwer finishing in 2:50:41. ENDS