10 Oct 2022

Over 150 cyclists participated in the Southern Epic Cycling Challenge, which also attracted participants from South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The race, held at Montshiwa Grounds in Kanye over the weekend, featured more than 30 women, who participated in different categories.

Among attendees were First Lady Neo Masisi, India High Commissioner, Rajesh Ranjan, who was the chief cyclist, Miss Botswana 2021/2022 Palesa Molefe and Kanye South MP Dr Lemogang Kwape.

In a brief interview the First Lady professed her desire to see the event grow.

She implored the organisers to be innovative and follow the trend in other countries, where the elderly were made part of the cycling challenge.

“Nothing beats witnessing the joy of the elderly participating in these challenges. We need to ensure that they join us next year,” she said.

The First Lady, who also got a chance to empire the start of the 120km endurance race category, further indicated that her presence was a show of moral support.

Meanwhile, Thokozani Mahlangu from Team Aluwani of South Africa received the P8 000 cash prize after finishing first in the 120km category in 3:59:33, followed by his colleagues Thulasizwe Mxenge and Teynard

Butler who completed the race in 1:01:26 and 3:02:52 respectively.

Nonofo Maswabi of the Jwaneng Cycling Club was crowned a champion in the female’s Elite 120km, with a time of 3:24:17, followed by Anouk Van Der Geest of Tsela Riders in a time of 3:24:40 and Wame Ntwayakgosi, who completed in a time of 4:02:56.

Both the veterans and the masters’ categories did not have female entrants and were won by Nolan Hoffman of Team Aluwani, followed by Alec Musariri of Tsela Riders and Thapelo Sebonego of Moshupa Cycling Club.

Male master 120 km category was won by Robert Sinclair of Unimills Hokoyo with a time of 3:13:09, followed by Seamus Oneal of Gaborone Cycling Club, at time of 3:51:55.

Moratwa Mothaope of Tsela Riders won the 18 to 22 years, 120 km race under female category at 4:38:18 followed by his colleague Lebopo Kono, with a time of 4:38:25.

Under 17-18, junior males 120km category, was won by Theo Tselayakgomo of Moshupa Cycling Club, with a time of 3:14:53, followed by Mpho Kgothatso of Morupule Cycling Club with a time of 3:22:02, and

Phemelo Setshogo of Jonmol Cycling Club with a time of 4:05:19.

The female youth 60km category of age 14 to 16 was won by Keyshia Nthobogang of Tsela Riders, while the open female of 19 and over category being won by Zara Reid, followed by Gobona Mantle of Cycle 4 Life and Nomsa Sekopo of Morupule Cycling Club.

Ontlametse Maswabi of Tsela Riders won the Male 60km Category of 14 to 16 years, with a time of 1:48:27 trailed by Carlyn Watson-Ben at the time of 2:03:25, followed by Michael Angelo of Tsela Riders a time of 2:03:59.

For his part, Dr Ranjan highlighted that their involvement in the cycling challenge further strengthened relations between Botswana and India.

He said they were keen to offer the winner of the cycling challenge; a Motswana citizen, able to meet the requirement needed for admission to university; a scholarship for higher learning in India.

Dr Ranjan added that he was particularly pleased that early childhood development had been earmarked as the key priorities of the event, adding that this will go a long way in shaping the future generation. ENDS