Uncertainty over Bocheletsane Cycling Tour remains
Leemisa Thuseho HOPES of an early return for the Bocheletsane Cycling Tour have been dashed after the Federation of Cycling Lesotho (FCL) confirmed that the event will remain on hold until after winter. The race was initially scheduled for 16 and 17 May, with the flagship 126km route set to start at Matekane Group of Companies... The post Uncertainty over Bocheletsane Cycling Tour remains appeared first on Lesotho Times.
Black News 
Leemisa Thuseho
HOPES of an early return for the Bocheletsane Cycling Tour have been dashed after the Federation of Cycling Lesotho (FCL) confirmed that the event will remain on hold until after winter.
The race was initially scheduled for 16 and 17 May, with the flagship 126km route set to start at Matekane Group of Companies (MGC) Park in Maseru and finish in Bocheletsane, Mantšonyane, in the Thaba-Tseka district.
However, the event was postponed due to adverse weather conditions and icy roads along the Mantšonyane route, which posed a significant safety risk to riders.
Since then, cyclists have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of new dates. However, the Lesotho Times has established that the Federation of Cycling Lesotho (FCL) is not planning to stage the race in the near future.
The federation is mindful that winter conditions in Lesotho’s highlands are unsuitable for road cycling. Icy and slippery roads, coupled with freezing temperatures, make racing both difficult and potentially dangerous.
The event offers some of the richest prize money in local cycling, with the winner of the men’s 126km race set to pocket M10 000, while the winner of the women’s 63km race stands to receive M6000.
FCL spokesperson and national team coach, Malefane Morie, this week confirmed that the race cannot be held during the winter season.
“There are no new dates yet because the race cannot take place during the winter season,” Morie told the Lesotho Times.
“We will have to wait until after winter, but if there are any new developments, we will communicate them.”
When the race was postponed just four days before the scheduled start, many riders had already paid their registration fees. Asked what would happen to the money collected, Morie said the federation had not yet made a decision on the matter.
“We are yet to deliberate on that issue,” he said.
The race is sponsored by the SAM Matekane Foundation with a total budget of M160 000, of which M150 000 has been allocated to prize money.
The event was expected to attract cyclists from South Africa, Botswana and Eswatini.
Competition categories were set to include the 126km, 63km and 42km road races, as well as a road criterium.
Lesotho’s promising cyclist, Khotsofalang Rakaota, is the defending champion after winning last year’s 126km race in a time of 5:13:10 to secure his maiden elite stage victory. He was followed by fellow road cyclist Kabelo Makatile, who finished in 5:21:05.
The post Uncertainty over Bocheletsane Cycling Tour remains appeared first on Lesotho Times.
