Cycling on the go
The recent Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power Race 1 marked the beginning of the 2022 cycling season, which is anticipated to be more active than the past two years.
SPORT REPORTER
The Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power Race 1, which took place this past Sunday, saw veteran Namibian cyclist Xavier Papo winning the men’s category with a time of 02:22:49.
He was followed by Alex Miller in second place and Drikus Coetzee in third.
Melissa Hinz took first place in the women’s category, clocking in at 02:00:46, followed by Courtney Liebenberg in second, and Monique Du Plessis in third.
The Döbra Loops race will be followed by the Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power 2 (Dordabis) on Sunday, 30 January.
Nancy Brandt, a Windhoek Pedal Power committee member, explained that Windhoek Pedal Power is a road cycling club for all local cyclists in Windhoek.
Brandt says any cyclists are free to join the club. The annual membership fees are N$500 for adults, N$300 for juniors, or a family membership of N$1 000 for four members.
“Alternately, you can also pay N$180 per race if you do not want to become a member. There are different distances for all categories and participants enter according to their own capabilities.”
Cycling, like other sport codes, has been greatly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to many sporting events being cancelled.
But she said the current relaxation in Covid-19 prevention measures will help the staging of more cycling events this year, accommodating more riders and spectators at a time.
In total, Windhoek Pedal Power is expected to host six races this year: the WPP1 (Döbra Loops) scheduled for 23 January, the WPP2 (Dordabis) scheduled for 30 January, the WPP3 (Matchless), scheduled for 27 February, the WPP4 (Teufelsschlucht) scheduled for 31 July, the WPP5 Team Time Trial at Carin Park scheduled for 14 August and the WPP6 (venue and date to be announced later in the year).
“We have 15 registered teams, nine men’s teams and six women’s teams. To date we have 160 participants,” said Brandt.
Brandt said the prize money is only awarded at the end of the series.
“There is usually an annual formal prizegiving ceremony at the end of the series. There are cash prizes for all categories.”
Nedbank Namibia has been supporting cycling for over 30 years, beginning with the inaugural Nedbank Cycle Challenge in November 1986. Cycling as a sport has grown in Namibia as a result of the sponsorship.
Nedbank Namibia communications manager Selma Kaulinge said that over the past three decades cycling has grown in popularity, with the number of cyclists and supporters increasing tremendously, making it one of the most popular sports in Namibia.
“Our sponsorship has certainly been one of the major catalysts in the growth of cycling in Namibia. The tournaments we sponsor have seen the rise of many local cyclists, many of whom are now competing at international events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” shared Kaulinge.
What to expect
Cycling enthusiasts can look forward to a number of cycling events in the coming weeks, to be hosted under the theme ‘The Nedbank Festival of Cycling’.
These will include the next Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power Dordabis race, on Sunday, 20 January; the Nedbank National Time Trail Championships on Friday, 4 February; The Nedbank National Road Race Championships on Sunday, 6 February; as well as the Nedbank Cycle Challenge which will be held on Sunday, 13 February.
The Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power Race 1, which took place this past Sunday, saw veteran Namibian cyclist Xavier Papo winning the men’s category with a time of 02:22:49.
He was followed by Alex Miller in second place and Drikus Coetzee in third.
Melissa Hinz took first place in the women’s category, clocking in at 02:00:46, followed by Courtney Liebenberg in second, and Monique Du Plessis in third.
The Döbra Loops race will be followed by the Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power 2 (Dordabis) on Sunday, 30 January.
Nancy Brandt, a Windhoek Pedal Power committee member, explained that Windhoek Pedal Power is a road cycling club for all local cyclists in Windhoek.
Brandt says any cyclists are free to join the club. The annual membership fees are N$500 for adults, N$300 for juniors, or a family membership of N$1 000 for four members.
“Alternately, you can also pay N$180 per race if you do not want to become a member. There are different distances for all categories and participants enter according to their own capabilities.”
Cycling, like other sport codes, has been greatly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to many sporting events being cancelled.
But she said the current relaxation in Covid-19 prevention measures will help the staging of more cycling events this year, accommodating more riders and spectators at a time.
In total, Windhoek Pedal Power is expected to host six races this year: the WPP1 (Döbra Loops) scheduled for 23 January, the WPP2 (Dordabis) scheduled for 30 January, the WPP3 (Matchless), scheduled for 27 February, the WPP4 (Teufelsschlucht) scheduled for 31 July, the WPP5 Team Time Trial at Carin Park scheduled for 14 August and the WPP6 (venue and date to be announced later in the year).
“We have 15 registered teams, nine men’s teams and six women’s teams. To date we have 160 participants,” said Brandt.
Brandt said the prize money is only awarded at the end of the series.
“There is usually an annual formal prizegiving ceremony at the end of the series. There are cash prizes for all categories.”
Nedbank Namibia has been supporting cycling for over 30 years, beginning with the inaugural Nedbank Cycle Challenge in November 1986. Cycling as a sport has grown in Namibia as a result of the sponsorship.
Nedbank Namibia communications manager Selma Kaulinge said that over the past three decades cycling has grown in popularity, with the number of cyclists and supporters increasing tremendously, making it one of the most popular sports in Namibia.
“Our sponsorship has certainly been one of the major catalysts in the growth of cycling in Namibia. The tournaments we sponsor have seen the rise of many local cyclists, many of whom are now competing at international events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” shared Kaulinge.
What to expect
Cycling enthusiasts can look forward to a number of cycling events in the coming weeks, to be hosted under the theme ‘The Nedbank Festival of Cycling’.
These will include the next Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power Dordabis race, on Sunday, 20 January; the Nedbank National Time Trail Championships on Friday, 4 February; The Nedbank National Road Race Championships on Sunday, 6 February; as well as the Nedbank Cycle Challenge which will be held on Sunday, 13 February.
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