WINDHOEK – Despite all the odds struck against him, Namibia’s young cycling sensation Costa Seibeb continues to set new benchmarks and it was no difference last weekend when he stylishly won the Elite category of the highly competitive National Mountain-bike Championship in Windhoek.
Seibeb won the race in an astonishing time of 3:12:30, to once again demonstrate he’s headed for greater things. Another upcoming but fast-improving cyclist Xavier Papo followed in 2nd place after clocking 3:24:25, while Heiko Redecker took 3rd place with his time of 3:27:05.
Meanwhile, KIA Elite riders Martin Freyer and Michael Pretorius also gave a good account of themselves on the day when they cemented their dominance in Namibia’s U/23 division when they finished 1st and 2nd in the competition’s U/23 category.
Coming off a double win in the same age category at the Namibian national road race some three weeks ago, Freyer and Pretorius were in outstanding shape once again. Freyer, who was also part of the National team that competed at the African Continental Road championships a fortnight ago, crossed the finish line after a grueling 75-km in 3:17:53 to take the first place with the U/23’s.
The other KIA Elite riders also had a good weekend. Marnus Verdoes came in 7th in the 75-km Elite category and Heinrich Kohne 9th in the 75-km sub-veteran category. Brandon Plaatjes, the latest edition to the team made 3rd place in the 35-km men’s race.
Plaatjes also formed part of the Namibian team that participated at the African Continental Road Championships. He was one of Namibia’s top performers, winning a bronze medal in the Road race for juniors.
Michelle Vorster was the quickest lady of the day to be crowned the overall winner and Namibian XC Marathon Champion for women. She finished the race (also 75 km) in a time of 3:59:46. Irene Steyn (4:07:13) and Genevieve Weber (4:20:15) from South Africa could not match Vorster’s strong performance. All three top ladies started in the sub-veteran division.