MATSAPHA – Team G and Kusekhaya Cycling Club came out on top as the Team Time Trial made a successful return to the local cycling calendar yesterday.
After a hiatus of nearly a decade, the event, last sponsored by OK Foods, saw a long-awaited revival at the Phocweni Army Barracks in Matsapha. Despite the early 7am start, the competitive spirit was palpable as riders took to the tarmac to test their collective endurance over 19km and 38km courses.
A total of four teams participated in the returning event, where proceedings were set in motion by the 19km race followed by the 38km at 8:15am.
In the 19km Team Time Trial, it was Kusekhaya Cycling Club’s four-man team that proved to be the fittest and fastest in the category.
They achieved a time of 31:02 minutes, a feat accomplished by Kago Mamba, Philani Msibi, Phinda Dlamini and Sakhelo Mamba.
Kusekhaya Cycling Club’s Msibi was reached for comment and reacted to the Team Time Trials, which were the first he had ever attended since he started cycling.
“This was my first Team Time Trial and I tried to prepare as much as I could over the past two months, as I had been given a heads-up about the event. I am very happy with my time as well as my team; we were able to work together to achieve what we did today,” remarked Msibi.
The young rider further shared that he wants to be much stronger this season, both in his preparations and competitions, which he stated is motivated by his upcoming participation in the Youth Olympic Games starting on October 31, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal.
In the 38km event, Team G’s Nkosingiphile Mavuso, Samkelo Mnisi, Thabiso Motsa and Thobekile Dlamini were the fastest team in the category, finishing in 1:03:51. Second place was taken by Newcom Wheels, who were the only mixed team of the event.
Meanwhile, Newcom Wheels’ Team Principal, Mbusi Motsa, expressed his disappointment with the absence of one of Eswatini’s biggest cycling clubs, MTN Khemani.
“We had most of the big local clubs, but I must state my disappointment with Eswatini’s biggest team, MTN Khemani. We didn’t see anyone here and that is not right,” expressed Motsa in his opening remarks.
He added that their initial goal with the team trials was to plant a seed that will germinate, ultimately producing a national team that will competitively represent the country.
He further made a personal undertaking, stating that Newcom Wheels Cycling Club will have two female cyclists this season, adding to Mandiswa Fakudze, who was the only female in yesterday’s event.
On the other hand, MTN Khemani’s Gideon Mthembu spoke on behalf of the Eswatini Cycling Association (ECA) President, William Kelly, passing on sincere gratitude to the participants and urging for more participation from the cycling fraternity.
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