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Local cycling championships to kick-start in February

Local cycling championships to kick-start in February

The Pupkewitz Megabuild National road cycling championships, hosted by the Namibian Cycling Federation (NCF) in conjunction with Windhoek Pedal Power will take place in the first week of February.

The event will kick-off one of the highlights on Namibia’s annual cycling calendar. The individual time trial competition will take place on 3 February, with the Road race starting on 5 February.

In the road race, the cyclists will compete in a 23km loop route on the newly constructed bypass in the Brakwater area just north of Windhoek. The Elite Men will cycle this route six times (147km), while the Elite Ladies will cycle it four times (total 102km).

The President of the Namibian Cycling Federation, Mannie Heymans, said, “during the 2016 championships, a tight circular route in and around Kleine Kuppe was followed, while this year we have made it a more ‘open’ race that can easily won by a break-away, a climber or a sprinter”.

Meanwhile, a record number of entries is expected for the National Championships, with well known cyclists such as Till Drobish, Costa Seibeb, Petrus Lotto, Xavier Paapo, Gerhard Mans, Martin Freyer, Vera Adrian and Michelle Vorster having entered for the road cycling championships.

According to the organisers, confirmation is still pending from Dan Craven as to whether he will be back to defend his title. Strong competition is also expected in the Junior boys category, where a number of new talented athletes will compete for the top spot on the podium in their quest for inclusion into the national team for international races.

This year once again, Pupkewitz Megabuild is the sponsor and Mr Jeanne Lowe, Commercial Executive of Pupkewitz Megabuild stated that “It is a privilege for Megabuild to be the main sponsor for the Namibian National Road and TT Championships. We believe a healthy body houses a healthy mind and that cycling is a family sport that gives you the opportunity to spend time with your family in the outdoors and thus the reason we are involved with cycling in Namibia.”

According to Heymans, the prize giving for both races will take place at the start / finish area and for more information on the event, the route and distances for all age groups is available on www.namcf.org.

About The Author

Sport Contributor

The Economist does not have a dedicated sport reporter. This designation is used for several contributors who want their sport stories in the Economist. Experience has taught us that companies usually want their sport sponsorships published prominently, being the reason for a sports category. It now also carries general sport items but only those with direct Namibian relevance. - Ed.