MASERU — More than 50 local cyclists will fight for spots at the Commonwealth Games when they take part in Tour de Lesotho on Sunday.
The Lesotho Cycling Association (LCA) is planning to send six cyclists to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, in October.
Tour de Lesotho will be used as the qualifying competition for the local cyclists hoping to be at the sporting extravaganza which takes place every four years for mostly former British colonies.
Lesotho’s flagship cycling race — which used to attract competitors from countries such as South Africa, Australia and Wales — has not been held since 2006.
LCA vice-president Tumisang Taabe told the Lesotho Times there will be no competitors from other countries for Sunday’s meet.
“The main purpose of this competition is for us to be able to select a team that will represent the country in India,” Taabe said.
“These people will compete to be among the six finalists the country is planning to send to India for the Commonwealth Games in October.”
Tour de Lesotho is divided into two — road and mountain bike categories — and will start from the city centre.
The road cyclists will race 86km up to Mohale, while the mountain bikers will cover 58km Molimo Nthuse in rural Maseru.
Meanwhile, the Lesotho National Olympic Committee has set today as the deadline for the submission of athletes who will represent the country at the Commonwealth Games.
