The cycling road race, which was organised by Tsela Riders cycling club, was expected to be a battle between cyclists of different categories, from Under-23, Elites, Juniors, Women, Masters, Veterans and Open section. Speaking to SportMonitor, Tsela Riders chairperson, Charles Vaughan, said the turnout was bad because people had gone for holidays.
However, some cyclists came and they used the day to train along the Otse-Kanye road. “Since the club race was cancelled due to low registration numbers, we decided to still ride the route as training in preparation for the Jwaneng General Manager cycling challenge as we assist those who will be doing Ride Joburg cycling challenge. Besides our Tsela Riders cycling club members, we had other cyclists from other clubs joining us in the ride, it was all fun, nothing competitive,” he said.
The Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg is the world’s second largest timed cycle race, after the Cape Argus Cycle Race. The race is set for November 17 in Johannesburg. The annual cycling event is open to cyclists of all levels from beginners to experienced riders, and offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s vibrant streets and scenic suburbs on two wheels. Vaughan explained that the weekend road race was meant to wrap up the season but in terms of activities they still have to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) where a new executive committee will be elected because the term of office for the current term is overdue. He said from last year (2023), the club has achieved some of the main objectives that the committee set upon their appointment, one being securing a three-year contract with Babereki Insurance Brokers, launching a new kit, having clubs races quarterly as well as encouraging members to be active.
“Upon election of the committee since I will still be the chairperson, we will continue where we left off by sharing the club strategy, which entails many things like development of the racers, which has been the key thing for Tsela Riders as well as encouraging the community to join cycling. We are looking at making our club a brand that corporates as well as companies will like to be associated with,” Vaughan said. Lack of sponsorship continues to affect sport in the country, which forced the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) to step in and assist some National Sport Associations (NSAs) such as volleyball and softball with grants in order to play their leagues. Cycling is no exception, a club like Tsela Riders faces the same predicament, according to Vaughan. “We are struggling very bad with sponsorship.
However, we are hopeful that with proposals that we are sharing with different companies we will get something one day. Currently we rely on subscriptions as well as members who pledge hydration or any other items that can make training or races as success,” he said.
