Hilma Nalupe
The stage has been set for one of the most anticipated events on the Namibian cycling calendar as the 2025 Nedbank Namibia Mountain Bike Championships roll into Towerbos Trails on 19 and 20 July.
This premier event, hosted by the Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF) and sponsored by Nedbank Namibia, will feature a dynamic line-up of races including the Cross-Country Olympic (XCO), Cross-Country Short Track (XCC), and the increasingly popular Electric Cross-Country (E-XC).
Saturday, 19 July, will be dedicated to the XCO race, while the XCC and E-XC events will take centre stage on Sunday. The races will test the endurance, speed, and strategy of Namibia’s finest cyclists, ranging from promising young riders to seasoned professionals.
Besides giving cyclists podium places, the national mountain bike championships offer riders a chance to earn valuable Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) points, which are essential for global rankings and qualification for prestigious international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
The weekend’s schedule will commence each day at 09h00 with the Nipper (U10) and Sprog categories, followed by the youth and veteran divisions at 10h00, culminating with the elite men, elite women, and under-23s at 11h00.
Namibia has a proud history of producing top-tier cyclists through these championships. Olympian Alex Miller, a standout in both the XCO and XCC formats, began his journey on these local tracks and has since risen to represent the country on the world stage.
Riders like Tristan de Lange and Vera Looser have also emerged from these ranks to compete internationally, underscoring the event’s importance in shaping Namibia’s cycling future.
Beyond Olympic dreams, these races are vital in growing local talent and preparing cyclists for major events such as the Nedbank Desert Dash, one of the toughest ultra-marathon mountain bike races in the world.
Nedbank Namibia, a long-time supporter of the sport, reaffirmed commitment to developing cycling in the country. Selma Kaulinge, Nedbank Namibia’s Communication and Public Relations Manager, emphasized the significance of the bank’s sponsorship:
“As money experts we at Nedbank Namibia, believe in doing good in the communities in which we operate. Our continued sponsorship of these races and the broader cycling series reflects this philosophy. These races are more than just sporting events; they are investments into our national sports development as they provide a platform for our athletes to thrive and enable them to compete on international level.”
Echoing the sentiment, Tauko Shilongo, president of the Namibian Cycling Federation, highlighted the federation’s commitment to delivering a world-class championship:
“The Namibian Cycling Federation is deeply involved in ensuring the highest quality of races, from sanctioning and technical oversight to promoting fair play and rider safety. Our role is to provide a structured and supportive environment that allows our cyclists to perform at their peak. We are working closely with our stakeholders and sponsors, Nedbank Namibia, to ensure this event meets international standards.”
As anticipation builds for a weekend of fierce competition and inspiring performances, the 2025 Nedbank Namibia National Championships promise to be a celebration of talent, tenacity, and the growing spirit of Namibian cycling. -hilmanalupe@gmail.com