Circuito dos Campeoes 2012

The Circuito dos Campeoes race took place on the 30th of September on the back-end of the Luso Africa Tour from Johannesburg to Maputo, which started on Wendesday and finished on Saturday.  The super-fit riders from JHB were now ready to take on the best of Maputo and Swaziland!  The "Champion's Criterium" race got on to a rocky start, after a change in the course was necessitated due to a grandstand having been built in the middle of the road the previous night!  We were sharing the day with World Health day.. and someone didn't get the memo of the road race...  Still, Messias in no time organised an alternative, in part adopting the course of the National Championships to be held in a week's time.  Now we just had to wait for the runners to finish and the TV crew to arrive.

Maputo Riders

Swazi riders

Joburg riders

Our very own Ian Campbell taking a prize in the 50-59

Patrick Verissimo with Podium Cap and bag.  Was the bag to net all the prizes?!?

Miguel Duarte taking his agegroup prize

The race podium (Martins, Beneke and Faria).  3rd placed rider, Jorge Faria, is older than the two guys who came 1st and 2nd put together! Impressive stuff. Go Vet's go!

Riders on the Caracol corner, feeling the bite of the 8% gradient. Jorge Faria next to Sergio Grichone in the front.

William Kelly, VP of Swazi Cycling and noted threat to the podium

Your humble author realising he hasn't trained on home ground for quite some time!

Sebbie Du Pont from Swaziland, rounding the corner with Luso rider for company.

"Biopace" Isaac Cossa with resident Tri-Athlete Mike Simms holding his wheel

Enjoying the "scenic" view.

Menzi Tsela "enjoying" the Mozambique climbs!

The "younguns" mixing it up with the older folk.  Is this the genesis of a future African Champion??

Either they grow up quickly, or we get smaller bikes for them!!

Caroline Du Pont, winner in the ladies category, stamping her authority on the Caracol.  Kallie looks on in amazement!

Another Moz rider "enjoying" the hills.

The ladies from Swaziland impressed

Riders showing off a range of stylish bikes and cycle kit

Our own lady riders were up to the task, having trained in Goba at a recent Copa Ciclismo race

A big thanks to the race sponsors AIDEX, race organisers Luso Africa Cycle Club and Mozambique Cycling Federation which put on a good show and created a wonderful cycling vibe in town.  All riders from all walks of live, all types of bike and all ages showed up.  The only rule was "no helmet, no ride", which left some orange clad riders stranded by the side of the road.  But besides them, everyone else was able to take part and race with some young pro's from South Africa.  Our own riders gave it their best though and finished not far behind the leading riders.  All riders got a finishing medal and refreshments at the end of the race.  We had riders come from Swaziland and spice up the proceedings quite a bit, and no doubt this was also the largest showing of women riders in quite some time, which is a sign for the future.  If this level of race can be staged in Maputo, in complete safety with road closures, clear courses, then there is a chance to increase the impact of this sport.  Quite a lot still needs to be done to raise awareness for the sport and give non-traditional racers a chance to compete.  The basis has been laid, now we must just run with it (or rather pedal!).

My warmest regards to Sebbie, Menzi and Willian and to the rest of your riders from Swaziland.  It was a real pleasure having you with us and racing together, and we look forward to the 4th of November in Swaziland for the Goba-Siteki 2 Nations race!  The reality is that both sides of the border can grow their sports if we make the effort to take part in each other's events.. and it's just a quick hop across the border!

A big thanks to Luso Africa for their 5th tour.  Joaquim, excellent coup getting the increased sponsorship for this race.  We look forward to 2013, hopefully not having to share the road with a grand-stand.  The TV coverage will raise the level of awareness for the sport and your team made sure the event went off as smoothly as possible, and in true African style found a solution to every problem that was put in our way. Thanks!