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Raymond Jaravaza, Sports Correspondent
FOUNDED less than two years ago, Bulawayo-based cycling team UniMills Hokoyo Cycling Club will take part in its first internationally recognised race, the Discovery 94.7 Ride scheduled for Johannesburg next month.

The Discovery 94.7 Ride is one of the world’s largest timed cycle races, which attracts between 20 000 and 30 000 cyclists completing in a grueling 94.7km course every year.

It’s the first time a local cycling club will be taking part in the annual race in Johannesburg.

UniMills Hokoyo Cycling Club started off as a hobby for sponsor, businessman Davies Muhambi, whose flirtations with cycling began as he was passing time due to the Covid-19 lockdown that forced people to stay at home.

The club is made up of nine cyclists, including a 14-year-old schoolboy, who recently joined the team.

Muhambi said after realising he would be spending more time at home, he revived his passion for exercising and started off by jogging, but later moved to cycling.

That’s when the idea to start a cycling club was born.

“It’s been a short, but very exciting journey since the club was formed, from recruiting talented riders passionate about the sport and struggling financially, to this point where we are going to be taking part in an international race.

“The guys have been putting in a lot of work at training; they understand the magnitude of the Johannesburg race and what it means for a young cycling club such as ours,” said Muhambi.

To ensure the riders focus full time on racing, Muhambi employed them at his company, United Milling Company’s marketing department as merchandisers.

He said they saw it necessary to provide them with a salary to ensure they focus on cycling as the sport itself is driven by passion worldwide and there are little returns financially that come from it.

In preparation for the Discovery 94.7 Ride, the cyclists train vigorously on grueling terrain such as the stretch along the Bulawayo/Gwanda road commonly known as Danger.

Cyclists that will travel to South Africa are Andrew Chikwava (captain), Advocate Phiri, Mthoko Sibanda, Nkulumo Dube, Thulani Dube, Ralph Mtupa, Gerald Lizwelenkosi and Tapiwa Maleeka.

To enhance their training to reach international standards, UniMills entered into a partnership with Infinita Cycling Academy in the United Kingdom that saw Infinita’s head coach, Bosseau Boshoff coming up with training programmes for the local cyclists that are implemented by local coach, Chris Kazingizi.

Organisers of the Discovery 94.7 Ride are encouraging participants to familiarise themselves with and abide by the Covid-19 regulations for mass participation cycling events as set out by that country’s health authorities. — @RaymondJaravaza