Cycling fraternity ready for Nedbank Rock and Rut

The first of five races in the Nedbank Rock and Rut XC Series gets underway at the IJG Farm in Windhoek on Saturday.

Namibia’s top mountain bike cyclists, like elite women’s defending champion Jean-Marie Mostert, are expected to participate in the season opener.

Mostert has confirmed her intentions to defend her title, saying that while she was not as prepared as she was last year, she will give her best shot:

“It’s a privilege to be the defending champion because Namibia has a strong field of women mountain bike cyclists. There is also a massive upcoming talent in the sport,” Mostert says.

Elite men’s champion Kevin Lowe will not be available for local races due to his studies in South Africa.

The organisers anticipate that between 100 and 120 cyclists of all ages will participate in the first race of the season, where 12 race categories are available for both men and women.

“The registration is already open and can be done through the ChronoTrack link. For all fully paid-up Rock and Rut members, the race entry fee is included in the membership fee, while any non-members will have to pay an entry fee of N$250. Late entries can be done on race day at the venue at an additional cost of N$150,” says race coordinator Michael Hennes.

“As Rock and Rut, we would like to express our gratitude to our headline sponsor, Nedbank Namibia, for their unwavering support of cycling as a sport over the past 30 years … Nedbank’s sponsorship has significantly contributed to the growth of mountain biking and road cycling in Namibia, providing athletes with opportunities to compete abroad,” he says.

These efforts culminated in Namibia’s participation at the recent Olympics in Paris, where women’s road racer Vera Looser and men’s mountain bike racer Alex Miller represented the country.

“This competition is the cornerstone of the local mountain bike cycling calendar that continues to showcase the incredible talent and dedication of our cyclists,” says Selma Kaulinge, Nedbank Namibia’s communication and public relations manager.

She urges the Namibian Cycling Federation and clubs to create more opportunities for young and upcoming cyclists, particularly those from previously disadvantaged communities, to ensure a more inclusive and thriving future for the sport.

“As money experts who do good, we remain committed to supporting this event and the growth of cycling in our country. We encourage all participating cyclists to keep pushing their limits, and we call on parents and fans to rally behind their favourite riders,” Kaulinge says.