Molale's ride on the fast lane
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday April 2, 2021 12:37
That catapulted his dream of one day making his family proud.
The situation engraved the spirit of perseverance in him and when he became a cyclist, his dream was to be a poster boy and write history. He also wanted to instil dignity in his family.
For the past three years, he has been coming short of becoming the national champion, finishing second. He finally made it to the podium as the national Time Trial (TT) champion last year.
Molale was born 25 years ago in Kanye and did his primary and junior secondary education at Mmathethe before proceeding to complete his studies in Moshupa in 2013. “During my school days, I used to play basketball and I also threw shot put.
Unfortunately, as a basketball team we did not win any championship because it is always difficult to win with a team sport because even if you are dedicated, there would be some weak links in the team,” Molale said.
Cycling coach, Thapelo Sebonego introduced Molale to the sport and he has never looked back. “One fateful day I remember walking to Moshupa Secondary School to coach basketball. It was a year after finishing my Form Five.
I had not passed so I was just home doing nothing, so I had to find something to keep me busy, which also include playing basketball thinking that one day some club would sign me up.
I saw someone cycling on a beautiful bicycle and I decided to follow (suit),” he said. In 2014, Sebonego started working with Molale and gave him a bicycle and the cycling equipment. Molale started cycling as individual although there were clubs. “In 2015, riding as an individual was not easy because there were other teams such as Botswana Railways, Jwaneng, Sergio Bilbao, which had Bernado Ayuso who was then the national champion.
Ayuso used to ride in South Africa and Spain. Going against such a team alone was not easy. The whole year I rode alone, but then I gained confidence and individuality in terms of racing because I learnt to rely on myself in decision-making,” he said.
At the end of 2015, Molale joined team Jwaneng where he learnt about working with a team to accumulate wins and enhance effortless racing. Molale said the team gave him a Merida bicycle but he did not feel comfortable on it. At the end of 2016, he left for Team Swift and the following year his new team bought him a KTM Revelator.
“It was the best bicycle I have ever ridden. It is full of carbon and light and it is an all-rounder. I could go uphill fast and my greatest ability is riding on the flat. That is where I am most dangerous and likely to win. I am not a hill person because I have a big body, but with that also comes power,” said the proud cyclist. Molale said he looks up to a South African cyclist, Clint Hendricks who currently rides for South African amateur team Enza.
“When I rode with him I felt that he is on another level, the way he was comfortable at that level was amazing. It was something that I had never seen before. The splits they are going at and the pace they could keep for a distance is something. I want to do that and beyond. Ever since I raced with him and Nolan Hoffman they have been the most difficult opponents,” Molale said. Molale said the first time he rode fast with an average of 41km/h was when he made his debut for Team Swift during the Capital bank race in 2018. He explained that he had to chase the whole peloton after picking a puncher. Molale said his role model, Hendricks motivates him because he has achieved a lot in cycling. “COVID-19 has affected me a lot because of lack of training and we no longer get a training allowance that we had before. There are no movements because of restrictions. Team Swift organised a challenge for us to boost our confidence. But, it was a pity for me because two weeks before it started, I tested positive and I lost a lot of time while in isolation. We would be racing the Tour Limpopo very soon,” he said. The Team Swift Grand March Challenge 2021, which ended on Wednesday, was meant to challenge the members and keep them active because there are no races. The team members were challenged to do a minimum of 1000km. Molale said it is difficult to be motivated without races. Team Swift technical director, David Lebalelo said his wish is to have more riders of Molale’s calibre. “His level of ability to cope with the pressure of the sport is so amazing. His love for the sport is on another level, he can live with or without winning and still get up the next day to try as hard as he could to beat his previous performance,” Lebalelo said.
FACT FILE
Full names: Thata Lloyd Molale
Date of birth: June 26, 1996
Place of birth: Kanye
Sport: Cycling, Team Swift
Achievements: National Time Trial Champion (2020)
Hobbies: Playing basketball for Diamond Bullets and producing music
Favourite meal: Whole-wheat madombi with beef stew