04 Oct 2022

Organisers of the Southern Epic Cycling Challenge say they are ready to host the road race on October 9.

The logistics manager, Kaone Ramontshonyana, said in an interview during the activation event hosted at Ko-Gae Café that they were expecting more than 200 cyclists to participate in the challenge, also known as Kgosi Malope Cycling Challenge.

He said the activation event was an opportune time for cyclists to familiarise themselves with the route.

“The activation allowed more cyclists to register and for them to conduct the technical aspects of the race with the aim to ensure adherence to the Botswana Cycling Association standards. We have engaged Team Swift, our official technical partner, to assist by ensuring that our routes are safe and compliant,” he said.

Ramontshonyana noted that the activation was also meant to alert the people of Kanye and surrounding areas about the cycling event.

“We want to take cycling to the people and break the barrier and mindset that cycling is for a certain group of people who have money. We want people to understand that cycling is for everybody,” he said.

He noted that the race was divided into categories of elite, Under 23, veterans, juniors, youth and masters while race distances ranged from 120, 60km as well as 30km.

“There will be an open fun ride, which we have intentionally structured such that it becomes less demanding and enjoyable for the participants. The idea is to offer a premier unbeatable cycling experience for all,” Ramontshonyana said.

 He said the event was open to the general public to stimulate support and expressed hope that they would come in numbers to cheer the participants.

He said the intention was to make Kanye the hub of cycling activities as it had a terrain closer to Cape Town and Lesotho, adding the plan was to invite the International Cycling Committee to assess the route and establish if it could be included in the international calendar.

He said the activation created exposure for recreational facilities available in the area such as Ko-Gae Café to showcase the premium hospitality they offered.

Ramontshonyana said the event soughts to promote sports tourism in the Southern District and boost the economy and said they had identified Sekhutlhane which would benefit from proceeds of the race.  ENDS