ACC hails Laizer for winning Arusha tourney

Dar es Salaam. Arusha Cycling Club (ACC) has hailed its cyclist, Richard Laizer for recently winning Arusha Node Race.

An official with ACC, Bram Markey said that last Saturday’s race was a success, featuring hundreds of participants from many regions including Dar,es Salaam,  Dodoma, Manyara and hosts, Arusha.

“We had a competitive event, but Laizer, who is also an international cyclist, managed to win the title,” said Markey.

A sensational Laizer, managed to win despite mechanical problems in the first 15 km which made him clogged by the side of the road, waiting for 10 minutes.

Luckily, mechanics Arusha Bicycle Center managed to fix his broken derailleur, and in the windy, rainy conditions he managed to bridge the gap to the first chasing group before the first turning point. 

Together with 4 other Arusha Cycling Club’s riders he then managed to have a one and a half  minute lead, but got battered by the heavy crosswinds. 

After the climb to Oldonyo Sambu, with some 25 km to go, Richard then went alone, with 4 riders chasing him. He managed to beat other challengers and emerge eventual winner.

‘We hail him for his spirited fight and represent well our club,” said Markey.

In 2015,  Laizer has signed a one-year contract with Germany-based Bike Aid Club. The 24-year old rider was in 2013 offered a professional cycling contract with the biggest and most prominent professional cycling team in South Africa, Team MTN QHUBEKA. 

Laizer spent most of the year training at the UCI World Cycling Center near Johannesburg, South Africa with his teammates, who are the best young cycling talents from the African continent, including the best from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. He is among a few local cyclists destined for top honours in international events.