National Road Champ Muzi shines in SA
MBABANE - National Road Champion and MTN Khemani cyclist Muzi Shabangu on Sunday made a good attempt after finishing four seconds behind the winner of the DisChem Ride for Sight race.
The MTN Khemani cyclist finished the 116km in 2:36:30 hours while the winner Van Wyk Josh clocked 2:36:26 hours. Second-placed Van Niekerk Emile finished it in 2:36:27 hours.
Overall, Shabangu finished on position 31 out of 1 247. He came on position 27 out of the 60 elite group. The former national team cyclist was ranked 13th out of 81 under his age group. The cycle race is for raising funds to cure retinal blindness. It is held in February in Boksburg,Gauteng.
When reached for comment, he said he was happy with his performance.
Happy
“It was a base race for 2023 since it was my first. I’m happy with my time, since I was four seconds away from the winner,” said Shabangu. Notably, Shabangu has participated in the race at least three times. Last year he clocked 2:34:37 hours and was position 27 out of 1 321. In 2020, he was placed 32nd out of 2 155 after clocking 2:35:59 hours.
Shabangu said his next competitive race would be the Cape Town Cycle Tour, which is scheduled for March 12, 2023.
“I’m hoping to better my time or finish with the first group,” he said.
He also said he was hoping to partake in the Cyclist Safety Awareness Ride which would be held this Saturday at Corner Plaza in Ezulwini.
Meanwhile, it was not only Shabangu who competed in the Dis-Chem Ride, but cyclists from Kusekhaya, New Com Wheels and MTN Khemani. Kusekhaya cyclists who partook in the race were Mduduzi Kaudi, Themba Kaudi, Oliveira Vitor and Shirley Saulus while Nzuzo Nsibande, Malvern Masango, Notsikelelo Mdlovu, Senanile Dlamini, Thokozani Dlamini, Fortunate Nxumalo and Mbusi Motsa all represented Newcom Wheels. MTN Khemani cyclists were represented by management and
Board members Dr Futhi Dlamini, Lincoln Motsa, Muzi Senior Dlamini, Sihlangu Nhlabatsi and Zakhele Lukhele. Also representing MTN in the ladies category was Nomfundo Jiyane, Gciniwe Fakudze, Happy Mthethwa and Swane Meyburgh.
Impressed
MTN Khemani’s Jiyane said they were impressed with the performance of Shabangu.
“Female participation increased from two to four this year. This is a growth and it is commendable. Overall, the team has seen growth in female riders,” said Jiyane.
She said they were looking forward to the Road Awareness ride organised by Eswatini Cycling Association (ECA) for the coming weekend and then the Cape Town Cycle Tour in March. Dis-Chem Pharmacies remains the headline sponsor for the popular ‘Ride for Sight’ road cycling event in 2023. The event takes place at Boksburg City Stadium in Gauteng, offering the 116 km Super Classic – a seeding event for the 2024 Cape Cycle Tour – and the 62 km Challenge for novice and younger cyclists.
This was the 34th edition of this popular road cycling event and Dis-Chem had been the naming sponsor for the past 15 years.