Times Of Swaziland: UNSTOPPABLE GULE CRUISES TO THE TOP

UNSTOPPABLE GULE CRUISES TO THE TOP
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BY ASHMOND NZIMA on 28/10/2018 05:10:00


MHLAMBANYATSI – It has been a remarkable year for seasoned 4EVA Club cyclist
Thulani Gule.
After combining with the equally forceful William Kelly over a fortnight ago to
win the three-stage 180km Inyatsi Swazi Frontier, Gule claimed gold at the Usutu
Forest Mountain Bike (MTB) Challenge in Mhlambanyatsi yesterday. The 38-year-old
cruised to the top with a time of 02:12:15 hours. He shook off his closest
competitor Kelly with a time of about 12 minutes. The latter clocked 02:24:55
hours.
Gule, who had a good year after celebrating podium finishes in most of the races
this year, challenged for gold from the onset. The race had started at the Usutu
Forest School and the route led the enthusiastic cyclists to pine tree
plantations. They raced on hard open roads and single trails.
“It was a good ride and I enjoyed myself on the single trails.
“The hills were challenging, but I came ‘ready for war’,” said the
champion.
Completing the list of the top three finishers was 25-year-old Mcebo Langa, who
clocked 02:37:39 hours.
Meanwhile, Ayanda Dlamini ensured 4EVA Club ‘celebrated a double’ with a
fastest time of 02:15:09 hours in the 40km event. Sakhiseni Dlamini’s time of
01:11:03 hours earned him the 20km race title while Kago Mamba outpaced his
counterparts in the 4km race.
The main race was 40km last year and Sifiso Mhlanga had won it in 02:07:55
hours. It was stretched to 55km for the first time this year.