Local cyclist calls for mindset shift
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday August 12, 2023 06:00
Botlhole participated in the Gran Fondo road race on August 4, securing the 180th position out of 235 riders in his category. His time lag from the winner was +16:59.
He also concluded the Gran Fondo Individual Time Trial (ITT) on August 7, with a +6:53.480 gap from the victor's time (27:06.387) in the 19-34 years category, securing the 39th position out of 43.
Botlhole highlighted the elevated significance European nations accord to cycling in comparison to Africa. He contended that sending only one cyclist to World Championships is insufficient. “Other countries have advanced when it comes to technology, even the bicycles that they use are the latest models. My bicycle is a 2018 model.
The technology and designs improve annually. It is difficult to compete with such quality,” he said. Reflecting on the global stage, Botlhole marvelled at the experience, noting the numerous corners along the routes. “I should start taking cycling seriously. You see the guys doing a serious warm-up before the race unlike me,” he said. Kagiso Potongwane, the President of the Botswana Cycling Association (BCA), acknowledged the formidable competition and Botlhole's encounter with world-class cyclists.
He affirmed that the championships' results mirror the positioning of BCA and other African countries in international cycling. Botlhole's focus will now shift to preparing for the BCA National Championships, with a report on the World Championships to be presented to the BCA executive committee. “He stood a chance to qualify for the next World Championships had he finished the first 25% of the race on August 4, which he did not achieve.
His good finish in the road race gives him a chance for a wild card for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” he said. Regarding the single-cyclist representation, Potongwane clarified that cycling can be both an individual and team sport based on competition. "Some disciplines are individual-based, some team-based. With these particular competitions, our athlete was sponsored by International Cycling Union (UCI) to compete. Other countries also fielded one or two riders. UCI sponsored all tier-one countries with slots for one athlete only," he explained.
Potongwane stressed that they aspire to field multiple riders, but limited funding poses a challenge. Attending the UCI Congress in Glasgow, Potongwane and BCA secretary-general Game Mompe delved into diverse UCI programmes, gaining insights into UCI's objectives. “There were different presentations on all UCI programmes and projects, which gave us a good understanding of what the UCI stands for. The UCI also has an intention to develop cycling worldwide. The main focus areas are Paris 2024, Women in Cycling, the UCI Solidarity Programme, Para-Cycling and Anti Doping,” Potongwane said. He highlighted the UCI's intention to bolster women's cycling.
He emphasised the importance of concentrating efforts on Women in Cycling, encompassing leadership and athletes, as UCI is resolute in enhancing this aspect within global cycling. He highlighted that enhancing women's cycling could yield substantial support from UCI through improved support structures.