Struggle for cyclists to excel without sponsors
For township boys, riding a bicycle is not guaranteed as sport. The boys take their joy rides and group up to compete in at the local streets without any protective gear or knowledge.
But that is not the case with Cwenga Makasi, who has been cycling competitively for four years.
Makasi is improving in the sport and with the right guidance, has the ability to go far in the sport.
Speaking to The Rep about her journey into cycling, the Molteno-born Makasi said he came from a community where few people understood the sport.
“Cycling is one of the expensive sports in the world and it is difficult to compete without sponsors,” he said.
Makasi said he started cycling in 2018, when he joined the small Molteno Cycling Team.
“At that time there were four people in the team. I rode with them for three years without any sponsors.
I had “The to look team for was another dissolved team, in”2021 he said. and
According to Makasi, in the early months of 2022 he met a man from the Komani Cycling Team.
“Some of the guys I met there are still the guys I go to races with. In 2023, I wanted to do the provincial XCO mountain biking race but sadly I did not have a team nor sponsors who would cover the entry fees, transport and other costs,” he said.
He said he was now with the Martin Dreyer Change of Life Academy, based in KwaZulu-Natal.
“I have been in the team for few months and I am seeing a bright future with the team,” he said.
“In my journey as a cyclist, I would like’to thank Noel Sahd the owner of Toy s Bike Shop for sponsoring me with bike parts and the bike services that he is doing for me. I would also like to give a big thanks to my manager Martin Dreyer for all the he has done for me so far,” he said.
Last week, Makasi participated in the K2K, a 70km race from East London to Kei Mouth, which is known as the biggest social ride in the province.
“I finished third in batch two that was really fast in pace. If it was not for Change a Life, I would haven’t done the ride and racing wearing the Citi Change a Life jersey.
“There is a lot that is coming up next year,” he said.