The 2012 edition of the Tour de Tuli would be history in the making as local cyclists would be competing for the first time ever.
Three locals Freeman Mhlanga, Patrick Pabwe and Pedro Chabuda will be among a host of international riders for the race which begins on August 2. The 360km expedition, which is in its fourth edition, will begin at the Limpopo Valley Airfield in Botswana and ends on August 7 at the Mapungubwe National Park in South Africa.
Environment and Natural Resources Management minister Francis Nhema yesterday saluted the three Zimbabweans for setting the trend.
The ministry’s permanent secretary Florence Nhekairo, speaking on behalf of Nhema, said: “This marks an improvement from the three previous editions of the event as there were no local takers then. I commend the three men for daring to participate in the cycling adventure and would like to challenge other Zimbabweans to consider emulating this approach to take part in the 2013 edition,” said Nhema.
Around 400 riders will be cycling a gruelling 80-100km a day in rough terrain.
South Africa would providing the highest number of cyclists with a staggering 372, while overseas competitors would be coming from Britain, France, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and the United States.
