Promising young cyclist Petrus Hanga continues to make strides in the sport, securing a third-place finish in the U/23 category of the Nedbank Individual Time Trials with an impressive time of 1:12:32 seconds. 

He further demonstrated his endurance by finishing fourth in the road race, clocking in at 4:27:26 seconds. 

Hanga, who hails from Katutura, only started cycling in 2022 but has rapidly ascended the ranks, proving his potential in both national and international competitions. He currently rides for the NCCS Pro Cycling Team, where he is part of the development program aimed at nurturing young talent. 

“This was my fourth time competing in the national championships, and I feel that this year I was the best version of myself,” Hanga reflected. “My first major race was in Eswatini last year, which was also my first international competition. I managed to secure first place in the U/23 category and third overall. I also competed in Botswana, where I finished in seventh place.” 

Despite his rising success, Hanga acknowledges the challenges that come with pursuing a career in cycling. “Cycling is an expensive sport, and my team does what they can to support me financially and physically. However, my first year in 2022 was incredibly tough. I am sure many cyclists remember me from when I started with nothing to where I am today,” he said. 

Looking ahead, Hanga has set his sights on the upcoming Khomas100 National Gravel Championship, scheduled for October. “I have a strong interest in gravel racing, but unfortunately, there are very few such races in Namibia. Nonetheless, I am eager to compete and test myself on different terrains,” he added. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na