4EVA CLUB’S MORGAN CRUISES TO HISTORIC WIN

SIKHUPHE – There is a new sheriff in town. Morgan Rudd from 4EVA Cylcing Club defied all odds to cruise to the top in Eswatini’s flagship road race at Sikhuphe outside Mpaka yesterday. 

The 39-year-old clocked 04:28:30 hours to celebrate his first ever win ahead of equally forceful competitors at the newly-introduced 160km lap race.

Rudd, who will now race while wearing the national team jersey for the whole year, shook off favourite and then defending champion Muzi Shabangu in the last 500 metres of the race. The latter, from the dominant MTN Khemani Cycling Club, was relegated to the second spot with a time 04:28:31 hours.

In what turned out to be interesting competition among the clubs, Dig Deep also produced a podium finisher in national team cyclist Gcina Banda, who also forced a photo-finish with a time of 04:28:32 hours.

In conformity with international standards, the country’s cycling mother body introduced a five-lap race for the National Road Championships. The cyclists had to complete the 160km course by enduring five laps measuring 32km each.

The race had started next to the new Total Filling Station on the way to Sikhuphe. The cyclists raced past the entrance to King Mswati III International Airport, with a turning point at the end of the tar road en route to Hlane.
Rudd said hard work and sacrifice steered him to his maiden championship, highlighting that he had no challenge enduring the route on debut.

“I’m honoured to be the national champion,” said the proud winner.
Shabangu, on the other hand, said the route favoured sprinters, as it had less climbs, while Banda also shared the same sentiments, thanking the Cycling Association of Swaziland (CAS) for introducing lap racing at eSwatini.

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