Namibian cyclists Drikus Coetzee and Melissa Hinz were crowned champions of their respective categories at the Nedbank Gravel Burn, which took place in South Africa on Saturday.

The Gravel Burn is a seven-day, 800-kilometre full-service gravel stage race that challenges riders to navigate some of South Africa’s most diverse landscapes. The race starts in coastal forests and goes through the Great Karoo before ending in areas home to Africa’s iconic Big Five wildlife.

After seven days of racing, Coetzee, who competed in the open men’s category of 19 to 34-year-olds, was crowned the champion after dominating the category with a lead of 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 9 seconds (01:30:09).

The Namibian rider began his campaign on day one with a commanding victory on stage one, finishing 25 minutes ahead of South Africa’s Verster Venter, who took second place at the end of the race.

In the women’s 40 to 44 years old category, Hinz was crowned champion after completing the challenge with a 23:32 seconds lead over South African competitor Anneke Lund. Hinz started the race with an impressive six-minute lead in stage one, which she continued to extend until the end.

Ingram Cuff, another Namibian, also finished on the podium in the men’s 40 to 44 years olf category. He finished in third place, 15 minutes and 28 seconds behind the winner. South African rider Erik Kleinhans won that category. 

In the 60 to 64 age group, Frank Snyman earned a third-place finish, ending 43 minutes and 53 seconds behind the winner, Mario Kummer.

Meanwhile, in the elite men’s category, Namibia’s professional rider Alex Miller, who rides for Swatt Club, and Martin Freyer, who rides for Team Hollard Namibia, finished the Gravel Burn in 15th and 13th place, respectively.

South Africa’s Matthew Beers won the elite category after narrowly defeating Swiss rider Simon Pellaud on the final day, finishing five minutes ahead. – Nampa