Seabata Mahao
Veteran rider, Phetetso Monese emerged victorious at the National Mountain Bike (MTB) Championship, held last weekend at Lebung Park in Linakotseng, in Maseru.
The championship, an annual 36-kilometre race, saw local riders competing fiercely for the prestigious title.
Monese’s triumph marks a significant comeback, dethroning the 2024 champion, Tumelo Makae, who dominated last year’s event. This year, however, Makae faced mechanical issues with his bicycle, providing Monese with an opening to take the lead.
Monese capitalised on the opportunity and maintained his advantage to the finish line.
Reflecting on the victory, Monese acknowledged the stiff competition, particularly from Makae, whom he considers one of the best riders in the country.
“At the beginning, I was hopeful, but I knew it would be a tough race. I was fortunate to get a window of opportunity, and I seized it,” Monese said.
He added that he initially entered the competition as part of his preparation for other upcoming events, viewing it as a chance to test his skills.
On the other hand, Makae attributed his defeat partly to the numerous postponements of the competition, which he said affected his motivation.
Despite this setback, he was gracious in defeat, stating, “Phetetso Monese deserved this win as he is one of the best riders we have in the country.”
Makae further mentioned that he is now shifting focus to the upcoming Road Race as part of his training regimen for future international competitions.
The MTB Championship, originally scheduled for July 2025, faced significant hurdles due to a lack of funding after sponsors withdrew at the last minute. The Federation of Cycling Lesotho (FCL) had to overcome numerous challenges to finally host the event.
In an exclusive interview, FCL Public Relations Officer Malefane Morie expressed satisfaction with the overall success of the championship despite the setbacks.
“The weather was not on our side; heavy rain disrupted the race, forcing us to halt it temporarily. Additionally, many registered riders withdrew at the last minute, citing difficulties in riding in the rain. Others, who are students and workers, had to prioritize their engagements,” Morie explained.
Although the FCL initially anticipated over 40 participants, the final turnout was just over 30 riders.
“We are hopeful for a larger turnout in the next championship.”
Despite these challenges, he emphasised that the event was well-executed and the federation is already focusing on future competitions. The next major event on the FCL calendar is the Road Race 2024/25 Championships, scheduled for Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Phillips Industrial Area Bypass in Maseru.
Meanwhile, former MTB Champion Makae is gearing up for a series of international events. He is set to compete in the Tankwa Trek MTB in Ceres, Western Cape, South Africa, on February 6, 2025.
This will be followed by the South African Cup MTB from March 1-2, and the prestigious ABSA Cape Epic MTB in Cape Town from March 16-23, 2025.
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