The Botswana mountain bike competition landscape is billed for a major shakedown as local cyclists await the premiere of what is expected to be the country’s biggest mountain bike challenge.
Dubbed ‘The Gaborone Quest,’ the two day mountain bike challenge, which is sponsored to the tune of P500 000 is expected to commence this coming weekend.
The sponsorship, which came through Bank Gaborone, Hollard Botswana and BBI Botswana, makes the impending challenge the highest sponsored mountain bike event in the country.
According to the race organisers, the race will be in two stages, the first being a 60 km challenge on the opening day and a further 55km on the second day. The start and finish points during both days of the event will be the Phakalane Golf Estate.
Speaking in an interview, Cycle Base representative Game Mompe said a lot of interest has been expressed on the race, with more than 100 cyclists already registered.
However, with registration still ongoing, Mompe said they still expect more cyclists to register to compete in the race.
“We have had interest from both local and international cyclists on this particular event,” Mompe said.
She said while riders competing in the event will compete as individuals, there will also be a corporate challenge where teams from various companies can compete.
“There will be lots of prizes on offer for riders across all competing categories,” she explained.
According to Mompe, the overall winners of the event, in both male and female categories will walk away with a cash prize of P10 000 each, while second and third finishers will get P5000 and P2500 respectively.
In order to make the challenge a family oriented event, Mompe said the organisers had lined up a beehive of activities, among them kids’ fun areas as well as entertainment by local DJs.
“The entertainment highlight however will come from five times South African trials national champion Dylan Victor who we have invited here,” Mompe said.
Known for his heart stopping bicycle stunts, Victor is expected to thrill the event’s spectators with his skills during the event.
