A Welkom cyclist, Esau Mashabela, has competed in four of the gruelling The Munga cycling challenges, and in 2019 he completed his third one.
The Munga is a non-stop single stage 1 000 km race starting in Bloemfontein, across the arid Karoo.
Riders have 120 hours or five days to ride the full distance and make the cut-off. The race provides five race villages where riders can sleep, eat and shower, plus ten water points where they can fill up on snacks and water.
Some consider it to be the toughest cycling race on earth.
“The route is predominantly off-road, and is a GPS route only. It is 1 000 km and possibly more,” says Mashabela.
“I have been cycling for approximately 13 years, and my passion for the sport never stops growing.
“I was fortunate enough to take part in The Munga in 2018, as well as in 2019 and 2020.
“In 2018 I had to pull out of the race, less than 50 km from the finish, as I sustained a knee injury. In 2019 I completed the race in 60th position, after riding for 109 hours and 38 minutes.”
In 2020 Mashabela completed the race in the 88th position and he was fourth in the development category.
“But 2021 was a hard year, as I experienced harsh rains. I did, however, manage to complete the challenge in 117 hours, and ended in 101st position. There were more than 172 riders.”
He says it is his goal to see himself on the next level of The Munga with a podium finish.
Mashabela was inspired by Dougie Leech, Cordel Buys and Eugene Naude. He officially started his cycling career in 2012, and entered the Manguang Classic, Amashova Durban Classic, Aldam Mountain Bike Challenge and the 2 Rivers Mountain Bike Challenge.
“This race has been such a positive experience in my life, changing the way I approach any kind of challenge that I am faced with.
“When I returned home after taking part, I received a lot of support from my local community,” says Mashabela.
