Team Swift cyclist, Thabiso Mokalake is the national champion after completing the 140km race in a time of 3:34.08. Abeng Malete of Jwaneng Cycling Club was second pulling out of the peloton a few meters before the finish line to complete the race in 3:43.50.
Thata Molale of Team Swift settled for third position with a time of 3:43.51. Another Swift cyclist, Matlhogonolo Botlhole defended the Under 23 title peddling through the finish line in 3:34.07. Botlhole recently arrived from the Commonwealth Games.
Kitso Moseki of Tsela Riders Club stopped the clock at 3:43.52 to claim the second spot and the third position went to Letlamoreng Ikaneng of Jwaneng Club with a time of 3:43.52. Witty Moratwa of Tsela Riders won the women’s Under 23 race, which stretched for 90km, with a time of 3:17.26. Her teammate, Lobopo Kono finished in the second spot with a time of 3:25.19.
Nonofo Maswabi of Jwaneng won the women’s Elite section in 2:42.19. Anouk Van Der Geest of Tsela Riders settled for second position in 2:49.57. Jonmol Club cyclist Wame Ntwayakgosi was in third place with a time of 2:52.12. Speaking to Sport Monitor, Mokalake said his plan ahead of the championship was to secure the overall title for the team but as the race unfolded, he managed to get into successful moves. “I broke away and I was caught by two cyclists, one was from Jwaneng and my teammate.
As the race progressed, my other two mates caught up with us and I dropped back to work with them. We started to work together and I decided to break away again. Botlhole then joined me and we worked together until the finish line,” he said. Mokalake also said they were riding in one of the hardest routes in the country because it is hilly and windy. For his part, Malete said it was a difficult race because he did not have a team. “I was working alone the entire race and that was tough. I cannot out power four people alone.
You know sometimes in cycling it is all about luck, maybe one day I will get lucky and win. If there are Time Trials later on, I hope I will claim the title,” he said. For her part, Van Der Geest said her preparations were not enough. She said finishing in second position is an indication that she will be back in shape by end of the year. BCA spokesperson, Game Mompe said they have three events in a year, and last month they held the mountain bike MTB championships, which was in Kgale hill location. “Today we held road race along Otse-Kanye road with three distances, 60km, 90km and 140km.
The number of cyclists has increased this year and the fitness level is good. The winner of the elite race, Mokalake graduated to elite last year and he has proven his worth,” she said. Mompe said the results are an indication that BCA has good feeder system from youth, seniors and elite categories. She said they are yet to confirm if individual time trials will take place. Mompe added that the road race was held without sponsorship only for hydration by CocaCola Botswana.
