RUDD IS MANDLA SIMELANE ROAD CLASSIC CHAMP

SITEKI – It was a photo-finish.

This is how one can best describe the events that unfolded during the Mandla Simelane Road Classic Cycle race, which started and finished at Siteki Hotel yesterday. The race was renamed from its original name of Siteki Road Classic in commemoration of the late Eswatini Cycling Association (ECA) President, Mandla Simelane.

4eva Cycling Club cyclist Morgan Rudd and Dig Deep Cycling Club rider Gcina Banda had spectators in a frenzy as they raced towards the finish line. 

However, the Eswatini Cycling Club (ECA) secretary had a forceful finish-up clocking 3:27:13 hours ahead of Banda, who clocked the finish line in 3:27:16 hours to win the 115km category.

Interestingly, Rudd was leading during the first lap which made a U-turn at Mhlumeni Border Gate. However, Banda took charge and broke away with just 3km to the finish line. However with each kilometers, Rudd started to catch up with Banda and with 500m to the finish line they were levelled.  Rudd’s strength on flat surfaces came in handy as they raced toward the finish line. Banda was good on the climbs and could not keep up as Rudd crossed the finish line first.

panicked

Rudd said even though he panicked that Banda could win the race when he broke away, he had the belief that he might catch-up with him.

“It was a wrong move for him to break away so early. He should have kept up with the rest of the cyclists until a few hundred metres away. He is not good on flat surfaces while that is where my strength is, I used that to my advantage and it worked wonders for me,” said Rudd.

He went on to thank AutoZone, Mormond Electrical and Global Paints, who sponsored him. He said the reason he lost up on the lead during the early stages was because he had a puncture and thanked William Kelly for assisting him get back on the track.

Meanwhile, Banda admitted that it was not a wise move to break away when he could not keep up with the pace he was setting.  He said his strength were climbs and on flats he could not keep up.

Meanwhile, the winner in the ladies category in the 115km was Dinize Wilsch, who clocked the finish line in 4:22:54 hours. The race was divided into four categories namely the 115km, 60km, 30km and 5km. Also joining the race was former Deputy Prime Minister Paul Dlamini, who participated in the 30km.

More reports in next edition.

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