Nedbank Cycle Challenge 2017 launched
Nedbank Cycle Challenge 2017 launched

Nedbank Cycle Challenge 2017 launched

Four weeks of training remain before road cyclists gather for one of the most popular annual events.
Andrew Poolman
Nedbank Namibia is once again promising a bigger and better Cycle Challenge in this year's ever popular 32nd edition.

It all starts with the Kidz Challenge at Avis Dam on 11 February.

The Mountain Bike Challenge will follow on 12 February in and around Avis Dam, while the Nedbank Road Challenge takes place on 26 February around Windhoek.

Some of the exciting innovations for this year include the opening of the bike park at Avis Dam, where all ages will receive weekly or monthly cycling lessons in a safe environment.

The bike park, which is under construction, will host this year's Kidz Challenge.

At the launch of the 32nd edition of the Nedbank Cycle Challenge yesterday, Nedbank Namibia head of marketing and communications, Gernot de Klerk, noted that the event will include new challenges for the cyclists.

“When an event has been held for over 30 years the challenge is always to find ways of generating interest so as to avoid having the event becoming stale,” he said.

He added that innovation at times is a result of external forces, in this case roadworks on the B1 road north of Windhoek. Planning is also influenced by the cyclists themselves who offer suggestions on how to make the route more challenging and exciting.

Speaking at the same event, Windhoek Pedal Power chairman Leander Borg said with the completion of the B1 road this means that the route can revert back to the old format.

“We call upon the public to be vigilant on the day to ensure the safety of the cyclists, while at the same asking them to come out in numbers to support them,” he said.

Registration is open until the day before the races. This year the distances for the challenges will be 20, 30, 60 and 100 kilometres, which will be supervised under the strict rules and regulations of the International Cycling Union, the world governing body of the sport.

Defending champion Till Drobisch, as well as Costa Seibeb and Lotto Petrus who were second and third, are likely to fight it out for top honours in the elite men's 100 km distance. Underdogs cannot be ruled out, while a total of between 1500 and 2000 cyclists, young and old, are expected to compete in all avaible categories. - Nampa

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