168KM COURSE FOR CYCLING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

MBABANE – In a bid to match international standards, the Cycling Association of Swaziland (CAS) has stretched its flagship race by 48km.

Next Sunday will mark the new-look Cycling National Road Championships at Sikhuphe outside Manzini. It will be a 168km circuit race, starting at 7am. The race starts and finishes at the Total Filling Station at the junction towards King Mswati III International Airport.

To complete the 168km event; the competitors will endure six laps measuring 28km each. Lapped riders will be taken off the course.
CAS President Sihlangu confirmed the changes, saying they were meant to prepare the cyclists for international races.

Major international races, which include the recently-ended Commonwealth Games, are not less than 150km long. The trio of Mduduzi Zwane, Muzi Shabangu and Gcina Banda could not finish the race in Gold Coast last Saturday.
The tough race is strictly for men. The longest event for women will be 90km long. Other races will be 60km and 30km long. Registration fees range between E100 and E150.

Registration centres are the Adventure Sport outlets in Mbabane and Manzini. Online registration, which can be done at www.cyclingswazi.co.sz, closes on Wednesday.
The previous national championships were 120km long and were staged at Ka-Mjuda in Nhlangano. Muzi Shabangu from MTN Khemani Cycling Club is the defending champion.

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