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MYSTERY surrounds the Zimbabwe cyclists’ trip to South Africa for the 2015 African Continental Championships for Road Champs set for 7 to 14 February in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Sources told this paper that problems have always bedeviled trips to the annual championships with deserving participants usually being left out.
Prior to the championships proper, a developmental camp which starts on Thursday is also supposed to take place at the Potchefstroom High Performance Centre in South Africa, but cyclists who spoke to this publication professed ignorance over who was going to make the trip.
A source told Sunday News Sport that politics and alleged racial instances were the order of the day at the cycling association, and they were yet to be notified on developments regarding both the camp and trip for the Championships proper.
“As far as I am concerned am not sure whether I will travel. Talk to Davidson, maybe he will give the information as he has been playing hide and seek when we contact him,’’ said a cyclist who refused to be named.
However, Zimbabwe Road Cycling Co-ordinator Wayne Davidson prophesied ignorance on any confusion saying the festive season had held up their plans as they had initially set 2 or 3 January as the departure dates for the country’s representative team adding hopes were that travelling arrangements will be finalised tomorrow.
“We had initially applied to the African Cycling Confederation for a number of cyclists to be sent into camp and I can confirm the names of the cyclists who have been accepted,” said Davidson.
Chad Scallan, Alexander Welsh, Luke Collins, Skye Davidson and Helen Mitchell were the junior men and women who would represent the country.
“The camp is for junior development and it is meant to assist the youngsters in familiarising them with the standards of the international tour and it will be held at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria,” said Davidson.
Harare cyclist and Zimbabwe representative Dave Martin confirmed that the camp was meant for juniors.
“It’s a junior development camp and our juniors will be in attendance though I cannot confirm their travel dates but it is essential they partake in the camp,” Martins said.
Zimbabwe team
Elite men
David Martin, Nkulumo Dube, Enock Chinowawa
Women
Grwer Winn
Junior boys
Chad Scallan, Alexander Welsh, Luke Collins
Juniors girls
Skye Davidson, Hellen Mitchel
Online Reporter