Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER five time Zimbabwe cycling champion Nkulumo Dube is back on the bike just two weeks after a brutal crash in Botswana.
The 39 year old had his first light ride on Wednesday, determined to return to competition in time for the Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke, which starts next week in Selous and ends on Saturday in Zvishavane.
For years, Dube has served as tour captain of the event, bridging communication between organisers and cyclists. His return comes barely a fortnight after a terrifying fall during the 140km MMG Khoemacau-Lake Ngami Cycle Classic in Maun on October 15.
He suffered deep cuts and injuries to his left elbow, shoulder and leg, and had to undergo surgery to remove foreign objects lodged in the wounds.
“I crashed about 35 to 40 kilometres into the race but managed to get up and ride to the finishing line, though I couldn’t make it to the podium,” said Dube.
“There was a foreign body on one of my elbows which was extracted and I was sutured, have a number of stitches. There was also another foreign body on my knee, but after they cut so much flesh looking for it after seeing it on the scans, I stopped them from continuing,” he said.
Witnesses said Dube, bloodied and bruised, refused first aid on the spot and insisted on completing the race, a show of the resilience and discipline that has long defined him, both as a soldier and as a cyclist.
Despite the pain, he’s already easing his way back into training.
“Just started training today with an easy 75km, but the shoulder is still painful. I can’t lift heavy objects or twist it at certain angles, and I can’t cycle comfortably on rough terrain,” said Dube.
He is scheduled to have his stitches removed today and hopes the procedure will ease the pain in his knee, which still bothers him when he tries to push power through the pedals.
Bongani Ndlovu