The first leg of the 2024 Nedbank Namibia Rock & Rut XCO Series is set to commence tomorrow at the IJG Trails in Kleine Kuppe, Windhoek.
The series, which has been taking place for over 20 years, is expected to attract over 100 local mountain bike enthusiasts.
This is the first of five races in this year’s series. Last year’s Namibian National Champions Alex Miller (a three-time defending champion) and Monique du Plessis are some of the notable absentees who are not racing this weekend.
Miller is based in South Africa and rides for the Toyota Specialized Mountain Bike Team. Du Plessis is also in South Africa attending to private matters.
The 2023 Nedbank Rock and Rut XC Series winners in the elite men and women categories, Simon Kaita and Nicola Fester, are expected to participate in the first race in the series.
Kaita said he was looking forward to more exciting and challenging races this year.
“Last year, the competition was tough. The routes suited me as they are more technical. I am looking forward to defending my overall title this year. Last year, I won one of the five races but managed to finish in the top three in the other four. This year, I want to win more,” he said.
Fester also commented on the race by saying: “Last year the races were very good, with a variety of tracks and skills required. I won three races and that was enough to secure the overall win. This year I am looking forward to new trails and there is even talk of new venues for races, which I am looking forward to,”.
Michael Hennes, from Rock and Rut Mountain Bike Club, said there will not be any international riders at this weekend’s event.
“Preparations are going well, and everything is arranged for the event on Saturday,” he said.
Nedbank Namibia Head of Marketing and Communication, Gernot de Klerk said that Nedbank is thrilled to be part of the XC series yet again.
“As one of the largest contributors to the Namibian cycling fraternity, Nedbank Namibia will continue to aid in the development of the sport by partnering like-minded organisations like the Rock and Rut Mountain Bike Club. We are excited for yet another edition of the Nedbank Rock and Rut XC Series, and we wish all the cyclists – new and old, best of luck as they take on the rocky terrain of the IJG Trails in the first race of the season,” he said.
The Nedbank Rock and Rut XC Series will continue on the following dates: 20 April, 8 June, 29 June, and 13 July.