19 Feb 2025

Eighteen-year-old Rebaone Khunofu of Tsela Riders cycling club got a podium finish at the first quarter club race of Tsela Riders cycling club, held in Otse on Sunday.

Khunofu was declared the 120km winner in the under 23 elite category after a finish time of 3:32:17. Not only was it a wet race but it started off on a high pace. However for Khunofu it was an added advantage as he enjoys cycling in the rain.

“It was a huge advantage for me to ride in the rain. I was able to climb the hills easily also because I am stronger in that aspect. And the cold weather always gives me a push to work harder and competing in this rainy weather was a plus for me to perform better and train for the next race,” Khunofu said.

Although he is comfortable riding under the wet weather conditions, Khunofu did not have it easy from the start as he could not keep up with other riders. However, he managed to pull through towards the hills to Kanye on the Trans Kalahari Corridor from the Kanye/ Ranaka roundabout.

“I managed to attack and drop most of my competitors all the way back to the start and finish at Otse, finding the strength to sprint in the sloppy road,” he said.

Khunofu is off to a good start in his under 23 category, and he plans to stay consistent with his performance and continue training with his 400km per week plan to maintain his fitness. He said he was eyeing the 2025 Cycling National championships in the under 23 category, and also win or at least get a podium finish in all other races in this category.

Speaking to the safety of riders in the heavy rains, the chairman of Tsela Riders, Charls Vaughan said activities should not be cancelled due to rainy weathers.

“It is a responsibility of every cyclist to use their rear lights for visibility, and I was impressed that most cyclists had them on. However it was not enough,” Vaughan said.

He added that as a club they fulfilled their objective of continued cycling activity and that they were in a good space to compete at the next Senkgamorodi Cycling Challenge, which is scheduled for Saturday in Bobonong. The race had close to 60 registered riders, and over 20 riders showed up in the rainy weather for the first race of the year 2025. ENDS