Tour de Maputo

Hello loyal readers. Here is another instalment on the Mozambican cycling scene. The latest event was the "Tour de Maputo" which took place between the 25th and 27th of June. The 25th is Independence day which meant we had a long weekend on our hands which was perfect for staging the 3 events. The event times would be cumulative with the winner having the lowest overall time.

Day 1 was 4 loops of the Mozal road for a total 83km's. The previous record for this distance was 2 hours and 27 set in 2008 by Duncan Wyness. The route takes in the infamous Matola climb that is a fairly arduous kilometre of climbing. Wind was a factor on the day, and increased in intensity as the race progressed. An early break by Imran and Messias lasted into the second loop, after which they were caught and a new attack was staged by Mario, Joao Antonio and Kinha, who managed to stay in the front till the end of the race. First place went to Mario Traversi (yours truly), sprinting for the finish, Joao Antonio a close 2nd and Antonio (Kinha) Fonseca in 3rd place. Winning time was 2:23.

Day 2 was an individual time trial (ITT for short) on the same course for a distance of 26Km's. Riders set off at 2 minute intervals into a lively breeze, doing a loop and a half. Joao Antonio managed to avenge himself of the previous day second placement by doing a credible 42 minutes for first place. Second place was shared by Mario Traversi and Imran Akuji on 44 minutes and Kinha Fonseca in third place on 45 minutes.

Day 3 was the Maputo city criterium circuit, taking in a short stiff climb up to the Municipality, a long and steep climb up Av.V.Lenine and then right to Av.P.Lumumba and a short and fast descent down the viaduct. The course took in many corners and the wind was also a factor. The Municipal and Traffic Police were on-hand to escort the cyclists around their route and stop traffic where necessary, and their assistance was greatly appreciated. Right from the start-line Imran made a solo attack but the peloton kept him in their sights and by the second circuit had reeled him in. Then Kinha counter-attacked, but again he was kept under control by Joao Antonio and Mario, and eventually they bridged up to him and a game of cat and mouse ensued on the way up to the hill for the first bonus points of the day. This front group stayed the same with Imran close behind in fourth place. On the final circuit Kinha pulled out with a case of the Bonk and Mario and Joao Antonio tackled the final climb. Unable to shake Joao Antonio on the climb meant a fast descent on the viaduct, overtaking the escorting motorbike and ploughing into the traffic on the Robert Mugabe traffic Circle. Joao Antonio managed a better line through the traffic and hurtled into a powerful sprint on the final straight to the finish in just under 3 hours.

The final classification for the event:
1st place - Joao Antonio
2nd place - Mario Traversi
3rd place - Imran Akuji

For race commentary in Portuguese as well as results and times of all participants please visit:
Copa Ciclismo Site

Random notes about cycling in Maputo

This morning it was cold, bitingly cold with the southerly wind blowing in from the Cape. I could hardly feel my fingers so I think it's time to get some full-length gloves. The streets were completely empty and quiet, but occasionally I'd pass a shadow, a walker or runner, even more surprised at the quick swish of the wind as I flew past. For a split second I imagined their bewildered faces, but the rough tarmac and cold in my fingers brought me quickly back to my bike and the whirring sound of my tyres. It's cold, but there is a certain clarity in the morning. Gone are the noises, the lights, the distracting bustle and chaos of vehicles and people. There is a purity in the morning, and I feel at one with my bike, a quick flick of my numb fingers to go up a gear and settle into a nice efficient rhythm. My legs spin quickly and it is only as I round the Marginal Point that the full blast of the morning wind hits me and slows me down. Another flick of the gear lever. My chain is now twisting from the front large chain ring across to the largest rear cog, but all I hear is a quiet whirring as I keep my cadence constant, even increasing as the wind lessens while I'm going under the bridge. The light has a peculiar quality.. a sort of musty orange. Occasionally a light goes out and I'm left with my puny headlamp lighting my little island of tarmac ahead of me, barely the size of my bike. I have to cycle on trust, on instinct. No point in stopping or going back. A puncture out here would be annoying, in the cold windy air. I am aware of shapes in the corners of my eyes.
People wandering around. Some going to work. Some wandering. The sense of purity becomes poisoned by these shapes. There is an unease when they are there in the background, like ghosts. Once in the full light of the lamp-posts or the shop-windows their mystery is gone and the panic subsides. Guard, Driver, streetwalker, wanderer, cyclist.
I must appear the same to them, a silent apparition that is gone almost as quickly as they become aware of me. I silently cut through the air. The whirring noise, maybe I just feel it, judging by the faces as I float past on a carpet of air.
I am in a pool of black. Behind me the dim lights cast long shadows. Ahead complete
darkness. My headlamp does little to show the road, but acts like a beacon. I continue on, comforted by the whirring, my pedal-strokes and my breathing, rhythmic. My body is warmer but still my fingers suffer with numbness and cold. But the wind is dying down, drifting away, dissipating. As I turn around I see the black sky recede to dark blue as the horizon starts to lighten. There are bright stars and planets out, shining their last light as morning approaches.
I am going faster now, my breaths getting a little shorter. The whirring has turned into a hum and the chain, now seated correctly in a straight line over the cogs is turning smoothly. The brightening sky means I can look for the smoother patches of tarmac, avoid the bumps and imperfections in the road. At the Marginal point though, the smooth tarmac runs out and the humming has turned into a low rumble. The world is still in silence around me so the humming sounds loud to my ears, and the tremors in the bike make me sit up and take a turn out of the saddle, shift my weight about, unclench my hands. The high tyre pressure amplifies the road imperfections. I feel every microscopic dip and jag of the stones in the bituminous emulsion, and the rough patches where holes have been filled in. To my right I have the sea, silent and dark, but above the sky is turning lighter, dark blue to blue to the faintest wiff of warm orange.. almost like the lamp-posts, but instinctively I know it's warm. I turn my head towards the road. This section is rough. Soon enough the road juts up and I quicken my pace to carry my speed over the rise. More patches on the road.. the road almost made up of patches. I can hear the birds now, swarms chirping away in the trees. And slowly the cars awaken and fly past. The silence is broken. The darkness is broken. The perfect stillness of the morning night is over and my tired body steers the bike home, up the last uphill.

Photo courtesy of Miguel Duarte

Upcomming Road races in Mpumalanga

There are two interesting Road races to consider this year - The Jock Cycle Classique on the 24th of July and the Clover Lowveld Tour from the 23rd to 26th of September. I will be doing both, and they promise some exceptional scenery, some very tough but rewarding climbs, and they're next door to Mapuo. What better combination?! Links are below for those interested in taking part:

www.cyclelab.com/default.asp?Id=188&des=content#JockClassique"

http://cyclingnews.co.za

The Jock has reverted to it's original format of a single day stage race, with the 150km broken down into more manageable but still painful bites. Think of taking smaller bites out of a chilli, instead of eating it in one bite. This makes it into an all-day event with breakfast and lunch served between stages 2 and 3. Quite civilised. Let's see how the Lowvelders manage to cook pasta..

The Clover Lowveld tour is a 5 stage 4 day race and will feature some of the most beautiful climbs and scenery in the ironically named Lowveld. There is nothing low about this area, with high mountains and steep valley roads. I have trouble driving around by car, so we'll see how we fare on a bike!

Twin Peaks / Dois Picos Classic Bicycle Race

Twin Peaks – Dois Picos
A title of a famous American television serial drama, or the toughest cycle race in the Copa-Ciclismo calendar, organized by the Clube de Ciclismo de Moçambique? What do the two things have in common? Not much, except a lot of pain and suffering. At 152km it is the longest race currently in the calendar, but throw in the two hill-top climbs and you have 1580m of climbing as well. This is for Mozambican die-hard cycle fans only, and for the normally flat rides in Maputo, with its dearth of hills and mountains, it is a really severe experience. Naturally enough, the field was small, as not many felt confident in completing the distance. Also a rival MTB race in Swaziland the day before diverted the attention of some of the expat cyclists, and any remaining expat cyclists (read Matt) found themselves comfortably tucked in their beds with a warm body for company. Certainly no incentive to face a cold start and long race.
So, preliminaries aside, let’s get on with the main event. Starters assembled at the Galp Petrol Station in Boane from 6:30 onwards, although in true Mozambican style the race only got underway at around 8am. Some were a bit overdressed with leg and arm-warmers and multiple layers, as it was a cool 16 degrees, while others choosing to tough it out in jersey and shorts. We’ll find out later which strategy worked he best.
Setting off, the cyclists went over Boane hill, which on our return would serve as the finish. For the first few km’s cyclists stretched their legs and warmed up but soon there was hard work to climb Pedreira Hill, which strung out the field a bit. A fast descent ensured the field rejoined the breakaway climbing group. Then it was mostly cycling single file along the flat 20km’s to the foot of the first hill, with Miguel, Imran and Mario taking turns at the front. Mandevo loomed and for the first half of the climb the group stayed compact, but on a false rise leading to a fast descent Angelo feigned and opened up the chance for Mario to attack, quickly disappearing from view down the steep descent. The attack was risky as Namaacha was still 5km’s away. A split in the field resulted with chasers Miguel and Kinha hot on Mario’s heels, finally catching up on the last descent before the long final uphill to the crest. However their chasing effort meant that Mario was able to rest behind them and take the hill with a spurt of energy, up the final 10% incline to take the first KOM points. Riders re-assembled at the top, as the race was long and solo efforts this early would surely be doomed. The descent was quick and again the packs separated into two, with Kinha, Miguel and Mario ahead, Angelo and Imran chasing and another cyclist holding the lantern rouge. Once at the bottom of the hill a moderate head-wind made some work for the front group. Angelo managed to bridge to this group at the Goba turn-off while Imran was struggling to chase on his own.
The turn-off to Goba saw the front group take turns pushing on the long and hilly section before reaching Goba. By now it was hot and cyclists started de-layering. At Goba Miguel powered up the first ramp (at 10%, a real leg burner) and slowly managed to string out his competitors. This was his attack. Mario managed to keep him in sight but by the end of the climb Miguel had managed to build up a 2 minute lead, and his fast descending abilities would mean he’d keep it to the bottom. Angelo and Kinha caught up with Mario, while he was delayering at the top, the heat really starting to impact the race. They set-off at a blistering pace down the hill, Angelo trying to power away, with Kinha and Mario tucked behind. At the bottom of the Goba hill a loud bang - Angelo’s rear tyre goes, on the fastest stretch. He struggles to pull over as Mario behind has to apply brakes to avoid his snaking bike. With everyone’s tools and inner tubes in the support vehicle, he had to wait for them to drive down the hill, 20 agonizing minutes later. Meanwhile Kinha and Mario press on in a partnership, trying to chase down Miguel, who is up ahead and extending his lead. Imran instead is struggling alone in the cross-winds, but keeps motoring along at a steady pace.
Miguel manages to finish 5:22, a good effort considering he was fighting on his own from Goba onwards, then Mario in second place at 5:34 with a final sprint on the final uphill and Kinha at 5:35. Imran rolled in 20 minutes later, tired, but happy to finish the grueling race. Plaques were presented to the winners and a big collective pat on the back for all who took part in Mozambique’s toughest cycle race. Although there was only one support vehicle the crew were excellent and kept riders watered and supported for the whole length of the ride. It really was unfortunate for Angelo that he had a puncture while the vehicle was stopped recording the climbers of Goba Hill. Perhaps the next big race will see some more support vehicles taking part.