Chikwaka comes out second highest placed cyclist in SA

Simba Jemwa, Sports Correspondent
UNIMILLS-HOKOYO Cycling Club captain Andrew Chikwaka was the second highest placed  lack professional cyclist at the recent 94.7 Ride Joburg Road Race after finishing 48th in a field of about 9  000 riders.

The Makokoba-bred Chikwaka finished the race in 2 hours 19 minutes and 45 seconds.

South African Luthando Kaka was the highest placed black cyclist in the 94.7km race after crossing the line in 42nd place.

The race was won by South African Travis Steadman in a time of 2 hours 13 minutes and 30 seconds.

Chikwaka’s Unimills-Hokoyo teammates Advocate Phiri finished in 63rd place in 2 hours 22 minutes and 2 seconds, while Mthokozisi Moyo finished 81st in 2 hours 22 minutes and 13 seconds. Nkulumo Dube was 88th in 2 hours 27 minutes and 7 seconds.

Despite finishing 48th, Chikwaka’s unique story looks set to captivate the cycling world because after all, he was only about seven minutes off a top three finish after doing a sterling job in the climbs and struggling on flat rides.

Speaking to Chronicle after his return from South Africa, Chikwaka said it was a tough race, but he feels he could have done better had he stuck to his usual training regime ahead of such a big race.

“I know I would have finished much higher in the race, even in the top 10 or so, had I stuck to my usual training programme. I changed it a little as we got closer to the Joburg Road Race. However, I am happy that I finished better than I did in 2019 when I was placed 81st,” Chikwaka said.

“I struggled a lot on the flats, but made up for it whenever we were climbing, which means as we train, I have to improve my sprints and flat riding if I am going to compete with the world’s best.”

Unimills-Hokoyo Cycling Club owner Davis Muhambi called the team’s performance in South Africa “empowerment on steroids”.

“When I started this team, all I wanted was to give these boys something to aim for. I wanted to empower them to compete against the world’s best, with proper equipment and training.

“That Andrew finished that high up there is testimony that with the right amount of investment in our youths, success is within our grip,” Muhambi said.

He said cycling was no longer just what he does to keep fit, but a way to help underprivileged black youths and offer them a decent opportunity to make something of themselves. – @RealSimbaJemwa

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