Maurice Kambukwe

Namibia’s biggest cycling competition, the Nedbank Cycle Challenge, was officially launched in the capital yesterday. For this year’s 36th edition, organisers have promised to accommodate as many participants as possible.

The event could not take place last year due to the widespread Covid-19 pandemic, which crippled sports competitions worldwide.

This year’s event takes place on Sunday, 13 February 2022, and cyclists will commence with the race at the new Nedbank Campus along Fidel Castro Street, and conclude at Zoo Park in Independence Avenue.

The event will see cyclists competing in the 10, 30, 60 and 100km categories, as well as other distances for junior riders.

The Nedbank Cycle Challenge, which began in 1986, is considered Namibia’s oldest competitive cycling race. The race has drawn over 1 000 riders in previous years.

The event has been credited with helping develop some of the best cyclists Namibia has produced, such as Mannie Heymans, Erik Hofmann, the late Costa Seibeb, Dan Craven, Vera Adrian, Irene Steyn and Michelle Vorster.

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na