Nedbank Desert Dash launched

Mountain biking
Andrew Poolman
The 2016 Nedbank Desert Dash mountain bike race was launched yesterday and will feature riders from 21 countries.

The internationally renowned race covers 369 kilometres of mainly gravel road between Windhoek and Swakopmund. The full distance across the Namib Desert must be completed within 24 hours.

This year''s event takes place on 9 and 10 December, starting at 15:00 at the Grove Mall in Kleine Kuppe on the Friday. The cut-off time is 15:00 the next day at Tiger Reef in Swakopmund.

Namibian cyclist Tjipe Murangi and his South African teammate Max Knox won the 2015 edition of the Desert Dash.

Individual rider Konnie Looser from Switzerland won the solo men''s category, while Rene Schoeman (RSA) won the solo women''s race.

Team Hollard consisting of Gerhard Mans junior, Pieter Seyffert, Jean Paul and Johan Faber won the four-man category. The race covers six stages and riders can participate in teams of two or four. The first 100 entries for solo riders sold out in just 51 seconds this year, while the first 100 entries for the two-man and four-person teams sold out even faster: in 48 and 43 seconds respectively.

Speaking at the launch yesterday, Nedbank Namibia Managing Director Lionel Matthews said this year they are ready to offer an even greater experience with a number of innovations from the race organisers.

“I am always astounded by the popularity of the Nedbank Desert Dash, particularly how quickly the available entries are snapped up. This year, the Desert Dash will have cyclists representing 21 nations competing.”

He added that cycling in Africa is on the rise, with African cyclists starting to hold their own on the world stage.

A total of 284 two-person teams and 512 four-person teams, plus 214 solo cyclists have registered to participate this year. - Nampa

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