South African Riders Too Strong For Locals
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday November 13, 2017 15:00
A clinical finish by Nolan Hoffman from BCX Cycling Club saw him winning the men’s 120km race with a time of 03:18:32. His fellow countryman, Clint Hendricks from Roadcover club arrived second with the same time but only separated by seconds.
Nkulumo Ncube of Morupule came third with a time of 03:21:23. It was a closely contested race between Hoffman and Hendricks who took the lead from the beginning. Ncube tried to put a brave challenge on the duo only for them to break away from him with eight kilometres remaining. Hendricks was faster than Hoffman but was led down by the technique at the finishing line, with Hoffman claiming the first spot by taking a dip.
Hendricks told Sport Monitor that the race was made difficult by the wind. He said the route was flat especially in the middle. He said it was his first time to race in Botswana and enjoyed the competition.
“Ncube surprised us. He did well despite being a young rider. We basically came here to train for a big race coming next week back home. I had to keep up high speed, doing around 40km/hr. It was a fast race,” he said.
He advised local riders to continue working hard in order to achieve their dreams.
Hoffman said the race was tough and he had underestimated the road profile. He said the wind made it worse.
“We were away with three riders from the start, it was a long day. I started cramping towards the end. I had faster legs than Hendricks in the end and I was the strongest sprinter between us. The best way was to force him to do most of the work and he timed his sprinting wrong. I had better tactics than him,” he said.
Hoffman said it was his second time competing locally. For his part, Ncube said the presence of South Africans took him off guard. He said his teammate dropped back and it was now him against them. He said towards the last kilometres he started cramping but managed to hide that from his competitors. He added that despite that, it was an opportunity to learn from them.
The women’s 60km winner, Lorato Masepe of Morupule said the race went well and there was no stiff competition. Masepe did 02:43:30. She said finishing with men means other women were too far to catch up.
The second position was claimed by Kaone Moemisi of JonMol on a time of 02:49:45.
The 120km women’s race was won by Bakang Ebudilwe of Tsela Riders clocking a time of 04:10:01. Followed by Natalie Cloete registering a time of 04:34:29. Ebudilwe said it was tough from the beginning due to wind.
“I was pushing away with the men after 10 kilometres from the start. I thought coming back the wind conditions would change but it remained the same. As you know this is part of the Tokyo 2020,” she said.
Other results: 120km junior men: Thabiso Mokalake (1), Karabo Mannathoko (2). 60km Open men: Tshepo Sentsho (1), Arnold Kokwane (2). Youth men: Lebopo Mompe (1), Kitso Moseki (2). Under 23 women: Promise Ntshese. Under 23 men: Advocate Phiri (1), Thata Molale.