Mpumalanga to host national cycling team selection for Olympics

The championships will start with a time trial on Thursday February 6 at 07:30.

Hundreds of South African cyclists will soon gather at Swadini with one aim – to make the national cycling team for the 2020 Olympic Games.

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Mpumalanga has been chosen to host the 2020 National Road and Paracycling Championships, starting on February 6 to 9. This year the championships have more significance, as they will be used to select a team to represent the country at the Olympic Games in Japan. “We are delighted that Mpumalanga has been chosen as the host of this prestigious cycling event,” said the director of sport and recreation, Butini Ngoma.

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According to organiser of the championships, Hendrik Wagener, the event will attract more than 300 cyclists in all age groups and categories, who will all be vying for the honour of flying the South African flag at the Olympics. “The national championships is not an open event. Only registered cyclists with Cycling South Africa may participate, including those who are riding overseas. They must participate in the championships so that they can gain UCI points to enable them continue riding. Of course, the championships will also be used to select a team to represent the country at Tokyo 2020,” explained Wagener. This means the likes of Nico Bell and Daryl Impey, who recently rode Tour Down Under, will be among the cyclists gracing the national championships.

The championships will start with a time trial on Thursday February 6 at 07:30.