MTB champs crowned at Swakopmund

NATIONAL CHAMPS … (from left) Kevin Lowe, Elvira Dickerson, Eden Spangenberg, Monique du Plessis, Alex Miller, Andre Steinfurth and JG van der Westhuizen. Photo contributed

Seven new national mountain bike cyclists received national jerseys following the Nedbank Namibian National Cross Country Olympic (XCO) UCI Championship at Swakopmund over over the Easter weekend.

They will wear the coveted jerseys when representing the country in international competitions as reward for emerging top of their categories out of close to 100 cyclists who participated in the races.

The national UCI-sanctioned races included the first-ever ebike, and short-course XCC race, elite men and women, under-23 men, and junior men and women categories.

Alex Miller won the Elite Men XCO and Short Course XCC UCI Championship Race, with Monique du Plessis winning the Elite Women XCO and Short-Course XCC UCI Championship Race.

JG van der Westhuizen topped the Men’s under-23 XCO UCI Championship Race, as Kevin Lowe won the Junior Men’s XCO UCI Championship Race and Eden Spangenberg took honours in the Junior Women’s XCO UCI Championship Race.

Also topping her event was Elvira Dickerson, who claimed the inaugural Women’s E-Bike UCI Championship Race, while Andre Steinfurth won the men’s equivalent.

The short-course and e-bike race was a first for Namibian cyclists, which saw the inaugural winners walk away with 50 UCI points to boost their UCI world ranking.

The elite, under-23 and junior men and women winners walked away with 100 UCI points each for coming first in the races.

At the prize-giving ceremony, Axel Theissen, the president of the Namibian Cycling Federation, expressed delight at the large field that graced the event.

Theissen said the junior men’s winner, Kevin Lowe, is currently leading the World UCI under-18 rankings, and that Namibia is ranked number 36 in the world and second in Africa on the UCI mountain bike world ranking.

Nedbank Namibia spokesperson Gernot de Klerk said the first-ever Nedbank Namibia National Cross-Country Olympic UCI Championship races were a success.

“On behalf of Nedbank Namibia, I would like to extend my appreciation to all the cyclists who participated in the races, and warmest congratulations to the national winners,” he said.

“Your unwavering determination and tenacity is truly inspiring. We are proud to be associated with such exceptional athletes who constantly push themselves to the limits to achieve success,” De Klerk said.

The races were sponsored by Nedbank Namibia, supported by the Namibian Cycling Federation, Seawork Fish Processors, VZ Trucking, Guans Packaging, Cymot, Swakopmund Hire and Sales, Plastilon and Cycles4U.

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News