Veteran cyclist Matovu reclaims victory
David Matovu
What you need to know:
An otherwise good event was marred by withdrawals due to mechanical hiccups and accidents. Richard Kiyega and Julius Kaggwa were knocked by boda-bodas and the latter sustained serious injuries.
KAMPALA- Former national champion David Matovu cemented his return to cycling by winning the most coveted event, the Champion Race early this week.
Aware of the competition from experienced riders, promising talents and foreign cyclists, Matovu,(pictured) shrewdly reserved his energies, keeping with the chasing pack while the youngsters led the better part of the 30 laps/110 km showdown.
Matovu (Tropical Heat) only took the lead in the final five laps and by the 28th, there was no cyclist in sight as he sprinted to finishing line.
“I had prepared so well for this event and I knew with my speed, no one could beat me,” Matovu, father of U-17 champion, Jordan Ssekanwagi, told Daily Monitor. “A good cyclist always keeps an eye on his opponents. No one did that better than I did and when I led at 25 laps, I realised nobody could beat me to the finish line”.
An otherwise good event was marred by withdrawals due to mechanical hiccups and accidents. Richard Kiyega and Julius Kaggwa were knocked by boda-bodas and the latter sustained serious injuries.
Sebastian Kigongo (Kayenta) and Lawrence Kyagulanyi (Shimano) finished second and third respectively. Twaha Leon Matovu (Select), the Uspa Cyclist of the year, blamed his fifth-place finish on fatigue.
