The Sunday News
By Simba Jemwa, Sports Correspondent
UNIMILLS-HOKOYO Cycling Club continue to dominate the local cycling world with a dominant display in the second and fourth stages of the Volta A Bulawayo yesterday.
In the first stage of the day yesterday, a 90-kilometer road race along Plumtree Road, UniMills-Hokoyo’s Andrew Chikwaka claimed the elite category’s first place in a time of 2 hours 23 minutes and 2 seconds ahead of his teammate Amos Chakadza who finished in 2 hours 24 minutes and 16 seconds.
Another Hokoyo rider, Tapiwa Muberekwa completed the podium sweep finishing third in 2 hours 26 minutes 59 seconds while seasoned Rory Mackie was fourth in 2 hours 27 minutes 9 seconds.
In the juniors category, Hokoyo’s Charles Nesta was first in 1 hour 56 minutes 44 seconds of his 40 km ride while in the 40 kilometer Masters category, Ike Bhana won in 1 hour 40 min and 32 seconds ahead of Anton Bhana who finished in 1 hour 51 minutes and 15 seconds. Davis Muhambi of Hokoyo was third in 1 hour 51 minutes and 38 seconds.
Veteran rider Ralph Mthupa also of Hokoyo won his category in 1 hour 40 minutes and 32 seconds edging Robert Sinclair who finished one second behind him. Third place went to James Freeland of Flying Eagles who crossed the line in 1 hour 41second and 22 seconds.
However, it was the time trail battle of sprint kings between Chikwaka and Mackie that got the sizable and appreciative crowd going yesterday afternoon. The time trial was over 20 minutes and 5 laps during which the two riders were neck and nek before Chikwaka showed his class and pulled away to relegate Mackie to a distant second.
Third place went Thulani Dube of Hokoyo while fourth place went to Muberekwa.
This morning, the last stage of the Volta A Bulawayo, a 120-kilometer road race along the Gwanda Road. The race begins at 6.30 in the morning at Valley Bar in Kensington. @RealSimbaJemwa
