The cyclist will be competing in the elite men's 42km category. Last year, he won the championship ahead of Lloyd Molale and Thabiso Mokalake. Unfortunately, Molale will not be on the starting line-up. The time trial is a solo effort in which competitors set off at staggered times rather than in a grouped peloton. They cover a much shorter distance than that of the road race, as the time trial rarely exceeds 50km. Speaking to MmegiSport, Malete said he has been busy with work but does sessions at intervals every day. “I just do one-hour training because, as you know, the ITT race is not long.
My plan is to go out there and defend my 2024 title. I am ready to deliver some good results, and I am hoping for some better sensations. I am ready to face any challenge ahead of me,” he said. However, it will not be an easy win for Malete as stiff competition is expected from the new elite entrant, Matlhogonolo Botlhole. He moves to the elite level holding the Under-23 title from last year. “It will be my first time as an elite cyclist, and I want to do my best. My preparations have been well. The plan is to represent my country at the upcoming Africa Championships, so I must work hard to get the national team selection,” Botlhole said.
Meanwhile, the BCA president, Kagiso Potongwane, explained that during ITT, riders start at intervals, usually one and a half minutes, or sometimes more, and cover the course alone without taking pace from other competitors or vehicles. “If another catches one competitor, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) regulations require the overtaken rider to fall back behind the other and not draft them. The cyclist with the fastest time wins. Time trials can also be done in a team format, called Team Time Trials (TTT),” he said. The UCI is the world's governing body of cycling.
Potongwane said they have retained the ITT national championship, as they are a great way to measure individual progress and improvement, and are a popular type of bicycle race in the professional and amateur cycling world. “As with our other national championship events, the ITT event gives riders the opportunity to be selected for the national team in the ITT discipline, particularly our elite, junior and youth riders, who are supported by the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) and UCI to compete regionally and internationally, and priority for these opportunities is given to national champions,” Potongwane said.
ITT categories: Elite Men (42km) Elite Women (30km) Under-23 Men (422km) Under 23 Women (30km) Veteran Men (42km) Junior Boys (30km) Youth Boys (14km) Youth Girls (14km).
