Nedbank XC1 and Junior XCO UCI races this weekend
The Nedbank XC1 and Junior XCO UCI race will take place on 29 April 2023 at the IJG Trails in Kleine Kuppe.The race is the second round of five in the Nedbank XC Series this season and will have Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) points, where over 100 cyclists are set to take part in this year’s edition of the mountain bike event.
The race sees international cycling representation with 22 South African cyclists and one from Australia set to attend. Athletes will be competing in the various UCI categories of Elite Men and Women, u/23 Men and Women, and Junior Men and Women.
This UCI event is part of the UCI Junior XCO Series where there are 583 UCI points for finishers in positions 1 to 25.
Newly crowned South African Elite XCO National Women Champion, Candice Lill, and the Elite XCO Men’s National Champion, Philip Buys, are also scheduled to take part in the race, and will be joined by our country’s very own XCO Elite National Champions Alex Miller, Monique Du Plessis, and Junior XCO National Champions; Kevin Lowe, who is currently Junior UCI ranked 8th in the world; and Eden Spangenberg.
The races will see cyclists compete in different race categories which include u/14 & 18 Boys and Girls, Short Course Men and Women Open, u/12 Sprog Boys, u/14 Sub-Junior Girls, u/10 Nipper Boys and Girls, u/12 Sprog Girls, u/16 Youth Boys and Girls, u/14 Sub-Junior Boys, Sub Vet Men and Women, Veteran Men and Women, Master and Grandmaster Men and Women, Rhino Women, Elite Men and Women, u/23 Men and Women, and Junior Men and Women.
Nedbank Namibia Communication and PR Manager, Selma Kaulinge, reiterated the importance of cycling, and the impact of the bank’s contributions to the sport.
“Seeing the talent that has been nurtured through Nedbank-sponsored events taking centre stage in internationally sanctioned events is one feat we can truly be proud of. This race will see athletes display a thrilling level of skill, endurance, and determination; with over 20 international cyclists participating in the race, we will expect nothing less.”
The Nedbank XC Race Series are in collaboration with the Rock and Rut Mountain Bike Club, and the Namibia Cycling Federation.
Entries into the races are open and interested cyclists can contact the Namibian Cycling Federation by emailing [email protected] for more information.