Cymot teams dominate latest WPP race
Cymot teams dominated the fifth round in the 2023 Nedbank Namibia Windhoek Pedal Power (WPP) Race Series at Teufelsschlucht in Windhoek on Sunday.The Cymot Orange female team consisting of Monique du Plessis, Marisa Mouton, Nicola Fester, Jean-Marie Mostert and Binnet Klein to first place ahead of their Cymot Yellow teammates consisting of Olivia Shililifa, Madison Mann, and Susan Pieters. The third spot went to the Food Lovers Market Ladies consisting of Hester Prins, Bertha Theron and Robyn-Lee Swartz.
In the men’s categories, the Cymot Racing Team of Christiaan van Rensburg, Kevin Lowe, Thenus van der Westhuizen, Hardus Nel, Gino Chiappini and Kai Prizen won, followed by the Cymot B Racing Team (Ethan L’Estrange, Oskar Roeber, Daniel Han, Marco Augustyn, and Fanie Steenkamp). Third place went to the Food Lovers Market team, consisting of Petrus Human, Vernon Maresch, George Thiele, Marc Epler and Conrad Marais.
In the individual women’s time trials, Handrie Gous came first in 2 hours 41 minutes and 40 seconds, followed by Michaela Ham (02:43:30) and Marsha Nel (02:44:00).
In the men’s open individual time trial, Drikus Coetzee won the race at 01:56:58, followed by Christo Swartz (01:56:59) and third-placed Braam Vermeulen (01:57:05).
With the final race looming, the Simonis Storms team currently lead the men’s team rankings at 114 points, followed by Cymot A, who have accumulated 102 points, while the third-placed NCCS/CYMOT Pro Team stands at 83 points. The Food Lover's Market Men's Team is fourth with 78 points, while Cymot Racing Team Men B is fifth with the same number of points.
In the women’s rankings, Simonis Storm Ladies powered by Hollard lead the points table at 52 ahead of MBM Ladies at 46 points. The third place belongs to MSL Ladies on the same number of points.
The Teufelsschlucht races were attended by an Angolan team, Jair Transporte, who cycled as a guest team and had three Angolan national champions in their five-member team. National champion Igor Silva said it was a good experience for him to participate in racing competitions in Namibia in one week.
"It was a tough race; the standards are high. The two races I took part in had challenges, but I enjoyed the races nonetheless," Silva said.
Nedbank Namibia Communication and Public Relations Manager, Selma Kaulinge said: “It was amazing to see the number of cyclists who showed up at the races on Sunday and the support teams that facilitated yet another successful event in the Nedbank WPP Race Series. We are excited for the final where we finally crown our 2023 road race champions.”