Maluwa takes Illovo cycling throne
the Lord
Mickson Dzuwa Maluwa has taken the Illovo Classic Cycling Race’s throne after making life on the saddle difficult for 33 elite category contestants, including his runner-up Blessings Kumwenda, during the 115-kilometre event in Blantyre yesterday.
Dzuwa crossed the line with a sprint finish at the Puma Filling Station in Limbe (near Midima court round about) in 3:14:20 hours, just two seconds ahead of Kumwenda.
The contest was a return stretch from Misesa Cemetery in Limbe to Nkando.
However, the cyclists were far from breaking last year’s record of 2:55:26 hours by Missi Kathumba who had been winning the annual event since 2007.
Kathumba and his 2012 runner-up Leornard Tsoyo did not participate on disciplinary grounds, according to Blantyre Cycling Club (BCC) coach Dyton Chimwaza.
Both Maluwa and Kumwenda were delighted with their displays as they have, for the first time, won top positions in the local competition and they have qualified for next year’s Cape Argus Race in South Africa courtesy of Illovo Sugar Company.
“I praise the Lord for making me a winner today. It has been a long journey to reach this far,” said Maluwa, who finished sixth last year.
Kwame Kaira and Mothiniya Misolo, who will represent Malawi at the 94.7-kilometre Johannesburg Race in South Africa next month, finished on third and fourth positions and they will again carry the Malawian flag at the 2014 Johannesburg contest.
Misolo did it in 3:15:00 hours while Kaira finished the race in 3:22:16 hours. Liwonde Kakuyu took the first position in the Mountain Bike category in 3:36:10 hours whereas Steve Nazombe lifted the Ordinary Bike category crown in 3:20:20 hours.
No winner was identified in the ladies’ category as none of them crossed the finish line in the four-hour limit.
Illovo Sugar Company national sales manager Walter Nyamilandu said they are impressed with the performance of the cyclists, especially the first-time champion, saying this shows the event is helping athletes to improve their skills.
