Times Of Swaziland: NEDBANK IMVELO MTB CLASSIC BACK!

NEDBANK IMVELO MTB CLASSIC BACK!
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Sports Reporter on 06/06/2022 08:32:00


MBABANE – Cyclists are expected back on the trails for one of Eswatini’s
most exciting off-road races.
That is the Nedbank Imvelo Mountain Bike (MTB) Classic. With things opening up
following disruptions caused by the advent of COVID-19, Nedbank and Big Game
Parks (Mlilwane) announced the return of the family race. The last race was
staged back in 2019. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the exciting race
which attracts cyclists from the country and beyond. Xolani Gama, Sales Manager
at Big Game Parks, confirmed the latest developments. The full logistics of the
race, especially the actual date, are still to be released. However, entries for
locals opened in the past week. The rest of the cyclists from the region can
submit their entries from this week.
Starting as the Ngulube MTB Classic - the first mountain bike race in Eswatini
in 2000; Mlilwane’s annual bike race changed its name to Imvelo MTB Classic in
2004. While accommodating both the old and the young, the race is usually
headlined by the 65km Classic, which is the toughest event. The distance belies
the total climb and intensity of the race.  It is technical, tough and extremely
rewarding. “At the moment we are looking at dates though they might change
depending on the response with entries. The eagerness for people to involve
themselves in physical and outdoor activities has risen at an alarming rate,”
he said. Meanwhile, the forceful South Africa’s Christo Carelsen clocked
03:08:14  hours to cruise to a win in the last edition in 2019.