OUTJO
Namibia’s most promising young cyclist, Costa Seibeb, once again proved why he is the real deal when he clinched the men’s elite division of the Ugab Terrace MTB Challenge, following a hard-fought battle with Team KIA Elite rider, Michael Pretorius, at Outjo last weekend.
The race, which took the participants in various race classes over one single route instead of loops, marked the third event of this year’s KIA MTB series with a massive amount of N$88, 500 in prize money.
Seibeb crossed the finish-line after a gruelling 70 km race in a time of 2:37:19 hours, leaving Pretorius trailing less than a minute behind (2:37:58). Tjipee Murangi, riding for Mannies Bike Mecca, finished in third place (2:42:32)
In the elite women’s category there was no stopping Irene Steyn, as she clocked in at 2:59:34, way ahead of Silke Bean (3:29:49) and Michelle Doman (3:29:51) in that order. The sub-veteran men’s class saw another close call.
Victorious Heino Windisch managed to keep just ahead of second-placed Philip Steyn, separated at the finishing line by less than a blink of an eye. Both riders clocked in at 2:44:06 after 70 km, with veteran cyclist Jacques Celliers tailing in third place (3:00:04).
Meanwhile, Gesa Kock had little trouble in the women’s sub-veteran race, clinching the first spot in a time of 3:35:13, while Andri du Toit (3:58:37) and Rosi Hennes had to settle for second and third place respectively.