Cycle Tour aims for 2000 mark

ORGANISERS of the annual Nedbank Cycle Tour are aiming to have at least 2000 entrants when the race starts in Windhoek on the morning of February 12.

The race, which primarily serves as a fun event for companies, families, schools and individuals, attracted a record 1 500 participants last year, while having just over 1 000 in 2004. The closing date for entries is on February 4 and registration forms are available at all Nedbank branches countrywide.The entry fee is N$35 per person.The tour is the longest-running in the history of cycling in Namibia after it was introduced in 1986.The aim was to develop a culture of cycling in the country, but in recent years, it is being used as a platform for the development of young cyclists who want to pursue the sport professionally.At its launch in the capital yesterday, Nedbank’s manager for marketing and social investments, Pangwa Gabriel, said the tour has become the biggest in terms of participation on the Namibian sport calendar.”It is the event that year after year spurs enthusiasm and excitement amongst our clients, and non-clients who join us as cyclists, supporters and spectators,” he said.The main sponsors of the event this year are Namibia Beverages (Coca Cola) Namibia Health Plan (NHP), Radio Wave and Windhoek Pedal Power, which is organising the race.The distances to be covered are 30 and 70 kilometres, with at least seven Namibian professional riders expected to take part.Gabriel said if one enters the tour and wants to buy a house before March 31 or want to bring a home loan to Nedbank, the bank will give the entrant or the direct family an interest rate of prime minus 1.75 per cent.”As a market leader in asset-based and vehicle financing, we are delighted to offer participants and co-sponsors an interest rate of prime minus 1.5 percent on all deals from now until March 31,” he said.He said the bank is also giving away 10 saving accounts to 10 lucky-draw entrants on the tour.The first draw for the five participants will be done on January 25, while the last five will be done on February 10.Race organiser Johan van Rensburg announced that 30 development cyclists from Oshakati will once again be included in this year’s race.All their travel expenses will be covered.He said N$15 000 will be invested in the tour this year, adding that money made from the race would be used to acquire bicycles to develop the talent of young cyclists.The closing date for entries is on February 4 and registration forms are available at all Nedbank branches countrywide.The entry fee is N$35 per person.The tour is the longest-running in the history of cycling in Namibia after it was introduced in 1986.The aim was to develop a culture of cycling in the country, but in recent years, it is being used as a platform for the development of young cyclists who want to pursue the sport professionally.At its launch in the capital yesterday, Nedbank’s manager for marketing and social investments, Pangwa Gabriel, said the tour has become the biggest in terms of participation on the Namibian sport calendar.”It is the event that year after year spurs enthusiasm and excitement amongst our clients, and non-clients who join us as cyclists, supporters and spectators,” he said.The main sponsors of the event this year are Namibia Beverages (Coca Cola) Namibia Health Plan (NHP), Radio Wave and Windhoek Pedal Power, which is organising the race.The distances to be covered are 30 and 70 kilometres, with at least seven Namibian professional riders expected to take part.Gabriel said if one enters the tour and wants to buy a house before March 31 or want to bring a home loan to Nedbank, the bank will give the entrant or the direct family an interest rate of prime minus 1.75 per cent.”As a market leader in asset-based and vehicle financing, we are delighted to offer participants and co-sponsors an interest rate of prime minus 1.5 percent on all deals from now until March 31,” he said.He said the bank is also giving away 10 saving accounts to 10 lucky-draw entrants on the tour.The first draw for the five participants will be done on January 25, while the last five will be done on February 10.Race organiser Johan van Rensburg announced that 30 development cyclists from Oshakati will once again be included in this year’s race.All their travel expenses will be covered.He said N$15 000 will be invested in the tour this year, adding that money made from the race would be used to acquire bicycles to develop the talent of young cyclists.