XCO championship race heads to Swakopmund
This year’s edition of the Nedbank Cross Country Olympic (XCO) Namibian National Championships race takes place over the Easter weekend (7 and 8 April) - in Swakopmund.The two-day national mountain bike race event 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, Elite Men and Women, u/23 Men and Women, and Junior Men and Women.
Namibian cyclists taking part in the Elite, u/23, and Junior races will be battling it out for Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) points, which are an internationally recognised points system for boosting each cyclist’s world ranking that determines placement in international events like the Olympics. In this race, only Namibians can compete for UCI points.
With close to 100 entries, the races also sees the introduction of the new E-Bike race category and an XCC-Short Track category for elite cyclists which is a race similar to XCO racing, but with laps typically under one kilometre and in less technical terrain. The above categories have recently been included in UCI’s World Cup circuit.
Extending footprint
Nedbank Namibia Communication and PR Manager, Selma Kaulinge, said that hosting the national mountain bike race in Swakopmund is a deliberate attempt to widen the footprint of cycling in Namibia.
“As we gear up for the Nedbank XCO Namibian National Championships, we are reminded of the importance of this activity in firstly promoting a healthy lifestyle, as well as the opportunity it creates in helping to develop the future of Namibian cycling sportsmen and women.
“Events such as these prepare our athletes when the time comes to represent our country on global stages. We look forward to seeing cyclists from all over the country, not only showcase their skills but also inspire others to join the sport of cycling.
“Nedbank Namibia has been a consistent contributor to the sport of cycling in Namibia, and we plan to continuously extend the footprint of cycling through to various towns across the country. We are excited about this race, and we can’t wait to see what Swakopmund has in store for us,” Kaulinge said.
Partners
The Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF) together with Cycles4U Swakopmund, are the organising partners of the Nedbank XCO series.
Speaking about the upcoming Swakopmund race, General Secretary of the NCF, Elanor Grassow, said that the NCF is ready to welcome all the cyclists to the event.
“The track in Swakopmund may be technically different from the track in Windhoek, but I think the cyclists will have an exciting time on it. The track is suitable for different calibres of riders and for all age groups, as all the obstacles on the course have safe alternative routes around them. We would like to encourage all cycling fans and spectators to come and support our riders. I am sure we will witness exciting racing on both days,” she said.