Coetzee ruled out of Cycle Challenge title defence

Two-time and reigning Nedbank Cycle Challenge elite men’s 100km champion Drikus Coetzee will miss the opportunity to defend his title at this weekend’s event.

The race, scheduled for Sunday at the University of Namibia (Unam) Sports Field in Windhoek, marks the 40th anniversary of Nedbank’s sponsorship of the corporate cycling showcase.

Coetzee, who dominated the event in 2023 and again last year, is still recovering from a cracked wrist sustained during the gruelling 998.6km Race Around Rwanda two weeks ago.

The Namibian was involved in multiple crashes in Kigali and was forced to withdraw after completing more than 500km of the ultra-distance race.

“I will not be able to participate or defend my title this year,” he confirmed to Sport Wrap yesterday.

New contenders emerge

With Coetzee sidelined, the elite men’s 100km race is wide open.

Eighteen-year-old Roger Surén, who recently stunned 2022 champion Alex Miller at the national road race championships, could be poised to capitalise.

Theuns van der Westhuizen will also be eager to go one better after missing out on victory by mere milliseconds to Coetzee last year.

Tristan de Lange and Martin Freyer are among the other strong contenders expected to challenge for the podium.

In the elite women’s 100km division, reigning champion Anri Greeff has also confirmed she will not defend her title.

Greeff, who claimed her maiden Cycle Challenge victory last year, will be competing in South Africa at the Big 5 Mountain Bike (MTB) Challenge this weekend.

In her absence, Deslia Janse van Vuuren, runner-up at the recent national road race championships, and Belinda van Rhyn, who finished third at the same event, are among the favourites.

‘Greatest Ride Under the Sun’

In a statement issued yesterday, Nedbank Namibia announced a refreshed format for this year’s edition of what it has dubbed the “Greatest Ride Under the Sun”.

The event will feature 25km, 60km and 100km road races, continuing its legacy as one of the country’s premier mass-participation cycling events.

The 100km race will start at 07:00, followed by the 60km at 07:30 and the 25km at 08:00.

New organisers, Lema Events, known for staging the Nedbank Desert Dash, have taken over the event’s management.

Former Cycle Challenge junior winner (1986) and Lema Events representative Mannie Heymans welcomed the collaboration, saying they aim to build on the race’s legacy while enhancing the rider experience.

This year’s routes have been redesigned to include more elevation and technical challenges, while maintaining a strong focus on safety and logistics.

Race route

Riders will start at the Unam Sports Field, then head along the Dr Hage Geingob Freeway towards Hosea Kutako International Airport.

They will turn around at the Dordabis turn-off, return towards the city, then head towards Kupferberg for approximately 15km. The race will conclude back at the Unam Sports Field.

Online entries close today via the Pay Today platform: events.today.com.na/events/9.

Late registration, race briefings and entry amendments will take place on Saturday between 10:00 and 11:00 at Unam, at an additional fee of N$150.

The event is open to everyone, from elite competitors to recreational riders.

Nedbank Kidz Challenge returns

The Nedbank Kidz Challenge will return for the first time this decade and will take place on Saturday.

Event organiser Charmaine Shannon said organisers are targeting 100 children, with registration opening at 09:00 at the venue.

Shannon confirmed that a short course will be mapped out around the Unam campus to provide a safe and enjoyable cycling experience for young riders. Races will run between 11:00 and 12:00.

Nedbank Namibia chief operations officer JG van Graan described the event as an important platform for nurturing cycling talent.

“We have seen incredible athletes like Dan Craven, Costa Seibeb, Vera Looser and Alex Miller dominate these local routes before taking the Namibian flag to the world stage,” he said.

All four have since represented the country at the sport’s biggest stages, including appearances at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

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