Misolo, Kaira stutter on records at SA Cycling
Malawi’s representatives at Momentum 94.7 Cycling Challenge, Mothinia Misolo and Kwame Kaira, on Sunday failed to improve their last year’s records.
At the event in South Africa, Misolo dropped by nine minutes as he crossed the finish line in 3:00:12 hours while Kaira, who completed the race in 3:03:05 hours, slid back by 12 minutes.
During the 2013 competition, the two clocked 2:51:31 hours to take first and second positions in a 325-contestant group.
But this time around, Misolo took position 101 in a tougher group that had 519 contestants whereas Kaira settled for position three among 377 contestants.
Overall, Misolo took position 1 907 in a field of 21 644 contestants while Kaira finished on number 2 444.
Misolo cycled at an average speed of 31.66km/hr whereas Kaira achieved a speed of 30.63km/hr. The two cyclists were sponsored by Illovo Sugar Company for emerging third and fourth winners during last year’s Illovo Classic Cycling Race.
According to Blantyre Cycling Club president Dyton Chimwaza, Misolo and Kaira told him in a telephone conversation that they performed poorly at the international event because they did not use 2013 route.
“They said they were turned to a bumpy route. However, I would say they have done well according to our standards because local cyclists lack frequent participation in international events,” said Chimwaza.
