By Otniel Hembapu
WINDHOEK – Local cycling lovers are in for some sizzling action when the much-awaited 30th edition of the annual Nedbank Cycle Challenge gets underway on March 1 in Windhoek.
The race will start at the Nedbank Independence Avenue branch and run through the city before cyclists wind their way back to the finish line, which is also at the Nedbank Independence Avenue branch.
Cyclists will get the chance to grill each other in the 20km, 35km, 75km and 100km races. All interested cyclists can still register on Saturday, February 28, at Mutual Tower building entrance, Independence Avenue.
With new partners on board such as Europcar and Namibia Media Holdings (NMH), organisers have this year promised a much bigger and better edition of the country’s biggest road racing event, while participants will also have a chance to set records on the newly introduced race routes.
Speaking at the official launch in Windhoek yesterday, Nedbank Managing Director, Lionel Matthews, said: “We can only hope that our investments in growing the sport and providing a competitive environment for our country’s cyclists will continue to translate into greater sporting achievements on the global cycling stage. We have seen the rapid rise of promising young cyclists though the ranks of competitive cycling in Namibia and this bodes well for our country as we cast an eye towards the Olympic Games in 2016.”
He added: “The Nedbank MTB Challenge will also take place on Sunday, 22 February, and will double up as the national marathon mountain bike championships, and we feel humbled for having been accorded this special honour by the Namibia Cycling Federation. I am sure the route prepared by Rock n Rut Mountain Bike Club will test the skills and endurance of the eventual champions to the maximum.”
The deadline for entries for the Nedbank MTB Challenge is Saturday, February 14 at Nedbank branches countrywide or enter online at www.staytoday.com.na.
Additionally, Nedbank teams will be at the My Life My Future Expo at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort until Saturday to assist with online entries, as well as on Friday, February 13 at Maerua Mall and Saturday at Grove Mall.