Leading Namibian professional road cyclist and mountain biker, Alex Miller, has urged local race organisers to introduce more technically demanding courses at national championships to better prepare riders for international competitions.
Miller, recently crowned champion of the 2026 Nedbank Cycle Challenge, said Namibian cyclists would benefit significantly from competing on more complex routes.
“For riders to compete successfully outside Namibia, our courses need to be more challenging,” he said.
He noted that racing predominantly on straight bypass roads can become monotonous, suggesting that organisers incorporate more technical elements such as tighter corners and varied sections, even without extensive climbing.
The two-time national road race champion added that, despite gaining international exposure, he and several fellow Namibian cyclists encounter difficulties when competing in major events in neighbouring South Africa.
“We struggle with negotiating tight corners. It is likely because we spend most of our time racing on straight bypass roads. Introducing more technical elements would not only make events more engaging for participants, but would also add value for organisers and sponsors,” Miller said.
He further observed that many local riders lack experience in specific racecraft skills, including riding in the gutter, a critical technique in crosswinds and tightly packed pelotons. “Even when I compete overseas, I have limited experience in that area. I understand the fundamentals, but improving our routes at home would help us develop those skills and ultimately compete more effectively abroad,” said Miller, who is the reigning elite men’s national road race champion.
Miller is now preparing for the 2026 Absa Cape Epic, one of the world’s premier eight-day mountain bike stage races, scheduled to take place in South Africa’s Western Cape from 15 to 22 March 2026.
Widely known as the “Untamed African MTB Race”, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)-rated event spans approximately 700 kilometres and includes 16 000 metres of climbing. The 2026 edition will feature a new route that passes through Durbanville, Montagu, Greyton, and Stellenbosch.
Following the Cape Epic, Miller is expected to return to Europe to continue his international racing campaign. -Nampa