This is the third year this Komatipoort Fiets Afloos 20km relay race event is taking place. For the first time a Mocambique Ciclismo team participated.
The four men team left for Komatipoort on Saturday. Friday evening we were met with a few problems and it all seemed to be going the wrong way. We almost cancelled the trip.
Alvaro (Zeca) had no bike. Messias offered his bike but we needed a chain breaker to put in a new chain. No chain breaker no bike no race. Rui offered his Scott Speedster, I offered my best climbing wheels “Sestrieres” and Zeca brought his peddles.
The happiest of us all was actually the one that wasn’t going, Messias, very happy that a team was on the way.
We left a little late at about 06:30 a.m.. Rui, Betinho, Imran and Zeca. The border was packed and to make matters worst Rui forgot his Dire, drivers license and car papers. He presented the case to the Immigration chief who let us through with no hassles.
We arrived at the start at exactly 9 a.m. the organisers were very happy to see us and agreed to hold the start for about 15 minutes until we saddled the first rider Rui. Most unfortunately Rui was not able to warm up. The Course was exactly 22km with an A.R.G of 0.932%. The Mozal Lap has an A.R.G. of 0.435%
While Rui kicked off we began to prepare Zeca’s borrowed bike. And got to know new cyclists etc.
Rui put in an excellent ride. He did his fare share of the work but some were simply enjoying the ride he came in a credible 4th of the thirteen teams. He worked hard with Cycle Lab pacing the group. Unfortunately not enough warm up meant not being at his best at the start.
Joao (Betinho) was next. He met with a most unfortunate incident, his seat came loose. The moment that rattle was heard, he was attacked. Zeca and I scouted the route for about 7km and cheered Betinho on as tried to catch the breakaway. Unfortunately in the final 8km a stable seat was a very important prerequisite. Betinho had to be content with second.
Next off Imran. Three attacks within the first 7km gave him a good idea of who’s who in the zoo. All attacks were neutralised by Cycle Lab. At the Turn around they met with a climb climbing at 24km/hr. Another attack to 34km/hr sprinting for 1km. Cycle Lab tried but couldn’t close it down, not a chance.
Imran went into trouble, stitches, very painful, he slowed down and got caught. Riding at 40km/hr then another attack at 55km/hr, sprinting for dear life for another kilometer with 2.5km to go. That was that Imran won.
Alvaro (Zeca) was last off. Cycle Lab had two teams in this race. Zeca stood very little chance. He was forced to close down all attacks. At the Turn off a small mistake probably cost him the race. He was not familiar with the gear changing system. He ended up on the 11 and since it was a climb out off the turn around, Quick Team attacked, Zeca was in gear trouble. Cycle Lab attacked. He had to close it down.
He managed to close the Cycle Lab team down. Cycle Lab wanted Zeca to bridge the gap, but Zeca knew that he couldn’t do that with some one on his wheel. So he attacked the Cycle Lab team. Too late Quick Team was away and Zeca had to settle for second.
Overall in the team classification Cycle Lab took the honours, Mozambique got second 21 seconds off, Quick Team third, Ground Hogs Forth.
We got a standing ovation from the organisers and the people present. Massive thanks to the whole team and supporters.
Imran