14 Sep 2022

The country’s leading cyclists are expected to battle it out at the Road National Championships in Otse on Sunday.  

Elite and Under 23 riders in the likes of Mark van Zyl, Lloyd Molale, Gontse Lethokwe, Abeng Malete, Nonofo Maswabi, Moseki and Matlhogonolo Botlhole will compete for the national titles.

It remains to be seen whether 28-year-old Lethokwe of Team Swift will re-claim the national road title or if Malete who was crowned second to Lethokwe in the recent BCA MTB XCO national championships would rise to the occassion.

The 2022 MTB XCO national champion will tussle with teammates; Molale and Malete as well as his team from Jwaneng Cycling Club.

Van Zyl’s talent could bring a difference in this year’s nationals.

He said he would take the race as it comes and use it as a learning curve as the route and area were new to him.

“It will be a first for me riding in the area. I noticed there are a few nice punchy climbs which will make the race interesting.

The elevation suits me perfectly, it is a rolling terrain full of uphills and downhills,” he said.

For his part, Lethokwe said he would work with his teammates to record victory.

“I will be helping my teammates this time but if things change along the way I will have to improvise. The route distance is far stretched.

140km is a long race, and with potholes, high elevation and changes in road surfaces it will be difficult to determine how the race will go, but we are ready,” he said.

Molale concurred with him and added that the route was rather challenging but worthy to host the nationals.

“It has one of the highest climbs Botswana has to offer and it is perfect. I have a team to work with and we are looking forward to taking on the victory in terms of displaying teamwork,” he said.

The elite female rider, Maswabi, said she was determined to win despite the uphill and windy route.

“I aim to improve my time and finish under 2hrs 30min, and I need to be on the breakaway bunch to achieve that,” Maswabi said. ENDS