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HISTORIC WIN FOR DIG DEEP’S GCINA BANDA

12/11/2018 03:26:00 BY ASHMOND NZIMA

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SITEKI – Dig Deep Cycling Club and national team cyclist Gcina Banda has defied all odds to race to the top in the celebrated 120km Siteki Road Cycle Classic.

The 26-year-old celebrated his maiden championship in style after clocking 03:20:48 hours to arrive about two minutes earlier than his closest competitor in Mduduzi Zwane from MTN Khemani yesterday. The latter reached the winning point after 03:22:11 hours.

The race started and finished at Siteki Hotel and it involved two laps from the host venue to Mhlume Border Gate, which is situated at least 30km from the starting point.

Banda, who is also in the national team to represent the country in next year’s African Road Championships in Algeria, had challenged for gold from the onset, but waited until the last 10km of the race to shake off his competitors.

The route favoured mainly sprinters as it was punctuated with less climbs. The final lap expectedly was the most challenging, as it was already hot.
The excited champion stressed that he did his homework in chase of the historic win.

trained

“I trained at least twice a day. It was tough competition as the other teams that included 4EVA and MTN Khemani paraded strong cyclists.
“I’m happy to have celebrated a good year and we can do well in the national team if we start preparations early,” he said.
Runner-up Zwane said the podium finish was a welcome change after enduring a frustrating year.

Then defending champion, Muzi Shabangu, on the other hand, picked himself up to rank third after he survived a crash involving a cyclist from the 60km race.
Winner in the ladies category was the fast improving Dinize Wilsch from 4EVA Club who clocked a golden time of 04:23:23 hours.

Meanwhile, a visiting duo of Felix Sitoe and Hailton Ferrao from Mozambique won the second longest race (60km). Other races were 35km and 8km long. Only three cyclists showed up for the latter event and they had to ride in the 30km race. A race should have at least five competitors to take off. Swaziland National Sport and Recreation Council (SNSRC) CEO Darius Dlomo was among the notable guests who joined the cyclists on the road.