Swiss cyclist Konny Looser secured his eighth victory in the solo men’s category of the 2024 Nedbank Desert Dash, finishing the gruelling 401-kilometre (km) race through the desert in a remarkable time of 15:01:29. This achievement solidifies his dominance in the longest single-stage mountain bike race.

He has won eight of the ten events he has participated in. 

Looser is however uncertain about returning for next year’s edition. Namibian cycling sensation Drikus Coetzee, fresh off his successful title defence in the 1 174km Ultra Marathon between Bloemfontein and Wellington, took a close second place. He clocked a time of 15:01:30, just a second behind Looser, in what was a nail-biting finish. 

Fellow Namibian Martin Freyer completed the podium, finishing third. Reflecting on his victory, Looser said he felt comfortable throughout the race, although he faced challenges with eating due to stomach issues. 

“The third stage suited me,” he said, adding that he had more exhilaration and stamina, which proved decisive. 

Acknowledging Coetzee’s recent efforts in the gruelling Munga Race, Looser said he felt confident in his endurance to push through and finish stronger. 

“It was a good race in the end,” he stated. In the women’s solo category, Namibian Belinda van Rhyn emerged victorious, crossing the finish line in 18:46:33. 

She was followed by Nicola Fester in second place with a time of 19:11:05.  Irene Steyn took third place at 19:22:52.

Two-Person Ladies Category: 

Julika Pahl and Cindy Friebel of Team Dune Dreamers claimed first place in 17:38:53 seconds, showcasing a strong performance. Second place went to Team Hollard Ladies, comprising Maike Bochert and Marion Schönecke in 20:47:35 seconds, and Larozelle van der Westhuizen and Este van der Merwe in 21:16:31 seconds. 

Two-Person Men’s Category: 

The top spot in the two-men category was secured by Alan Gordon and Adriaan Myburgh of Team Sterk Span Insect Science in 15:32:21 seconds. Second place went to Tyrone Kotze and Stefan Sander of Team Seaworks in 16:17:58 seconds. Simon Kaita and Maruen Kleopas of RMB Elite rounded off the podium in third place in 16:18:20 seconds.

Two-Person Mixed Team: 

Namibian cyclist Alex Miller and his Danish partner Caroline Bowe claimed first place in the two-person mixed team category in a time of 14:42:50. Olympian Vera Looser and Paralympian Daniel Abraham finished in second place in 14:48:51 seconds. Third place went to Melissa Hinz and Jacques Hannekom in 16:08:25 seconds.

Four-Person Ladies Team:

Team MBM Ladies, composed of Lucy Young, Genevieve Webber, Delsia van Vuuren and Monique Smith secured first place in the four-person ladies’ team category in 17:00:16 seconds. Team Towerbos Ladies, consisting of Luanne van der Scyff, Jeanne Heunis, Monica Szczepan-Kruger and Silke Bean, finished second in 18:04:34 seconds. 

Team Megatech I Love Boobies, featuring Almari de Milander, Jana von Backstrom, Jana Kehrmann and Jana van Dyk, took third place in 18:42:14 seconds.

Four-person Men Category:  

Christiaan Janse van Rensburg, Kai Pritzen, Marc Pritzen and Kevin Lowe (14:02:29) came in first place, Justus Beulker, Brandon Plaatjies, Roger Suren and Brandon Downes (14:11:55) are in second place. Theuns van der Bank, Du Toit van der Bergh, Waldo Zevenster and Reece McDonald (14:12:00) are in third place.

Four-Person Mixed Team: 

In the four-person mixed team category, the young and dynamic Cymot team, comprising Monique du Plessis, Marie Thiel, Marco Thiel and Murray Koch, all aged 16, claimed first place in 15:56:11 seconds.  

The second-place finish went to a team consisting of Michael Falk, Ada Kahl, Charles Koster and Michelle Doman in 16:43:41 seconds. 

Team Hollard, represented by Nelius Burger, Hester Prins, Christo Janie van Rensburg and Marguerite Verwey, secured third place in 16:51:36 seconds. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na