Get cycled up at Classic!

THE Namibian Model Pick and Pay Cycle Classic will seek a new champion over three different distances this year, as the race will see over 1 500 competitors lining up at the United sport grounds on Sunday morning.

The race starts at 07h00. The race, which caters for serious riders, family members, school and community groups as well as business teams, will be the sporting highlight of the weekend and the biggest event on the annual cycling calendar.This year, there will be two top Namibian riders who will challenge for the throne over the 100-kilometre distance.Jacques Celliers and Dan Craven, who are seasoned professional riders, will add a competitive edge to the race which in itself will be a milestone for the organisers as it is being held for the eight consecutive year now.Craven and Celliers are so far the top two cyclists who will spice up the event, while among the female riders, there will also be a host of strong contenders for the title.Cordulla Muller will be a key rider in the female category in the absence of challengers such as Heletje van Staden and her sister Jowina.This year, the race will also see Frans ‘Tupac’ Paulus, who is a paraplegic competing in a wheelchair for the first time.He also competed in the Nedbank Cycle Tour in February this year and completed the 30-km course with ease, despite having a minor accident along the way.He will again compete in the 30-km race on Sunday.Competitors in The Namibian Model Pick and Pay Cycle Classic will cover distances over 30, 65 and 100 km in a race that will be preceded by a Kiddies Classic tomorrow.The cycle race for the young ones starts at 15h00, also at United.One of the organisers, Hella Rust, confirmed to The Namibian Sport yesterday that people are still welcome to register for the race.She said registrations will be open tomorrow from 12h00 until 15h00 at United.Meanwhile, the Tour de Windhoek, which ultimately culminates in the Cycle Classic, started off on a high note on Wednesday and saw defending champion Jacques Celliers taking first spot during the Prologue on Wednesday.A total of 48 cyclists competed in the fast race, which saw Celliers speeding to the finish in six minutes and 13 seconds, followed by veteran Nick du Plessis in 06:28:00.Joris van Harteveld, also a veteran, ended in third spot with a time of 06:52:00.Yesterday was the second stage of the tour and the last leg will be completed tomorrow with a tough Hill Climb in Ludwigsdorf, at the corner of Xena Street and Gloudina Street, moving along Gloudina Street into Babs Street.The race, which caters for serious riders, family members, school and community groups as well as business teams, will be the sporting highlight of the weekend and the biggest event on the annual cycling calendar.This year, there will be two top Namibian riders who will challenge for the throne over the 100-kilometre distance.Jacques Celliers and Dan Craven, who are seasoned professional riders, will add a competitive edge to the race which in itself will be a milestone for the organisers as it is being held for the eight consecutive year now.Craven and Celliers are so far the top two cyclists who will spice up the event, while among the female riders, there will also be a host of strong contenders for the title.Cordulla Muller will be a key rider in the female category in the absence of challengers such as Heletje van Staden and her sister Jowina.This year, the race will also see Frans ‘Tupac’ Paulus, who is a paraplegic competing in a wheelchair for the first time. He also competed in the Nedbank Cycle Tour in February this year and completed the 30-km course with ease, despite having a minor accident along the way.He will again compete in the 30-km race on Sunday.Competitors in The Namibian Model Pick and Pay Cycle Classic will cover distances over 30, 65 and 100 km in a race that will be preceded by a Kiddies Classic tomorrow.The cycle race for the young ones starts at 15h00, also at United.One of the organisers, Hella Rust, confirmed to The Namibian Sport yesterday that people are still welcome to register for the race.She said registrations will be open tomorrow from 12h00 until 15h00 at United.Meanwhile, the Tour de Windhoek, which ultimately culminates in the Cycle Classic, started off on a high note on Wednesday and saw defending champion Jacques Celliers taking first spot during the Prologue on Wednesday.A total of 48 cyclists competed in the fast race, which saw Celliers speeding to the finish in six minutes and 13 seconds, followed by veteran Nick du Plessis in 06:28:00.Joris van Harteveld, also a veteran, ended in third spot with a time of 06:52:00.Yesterday was the second stage of the tour and the last leg will be completed tomorrow with a tough Hill Climb in Ludwigsdorf, at the corner of Xena Street and Gloudina Street, moving along Gloudina Street into Babs Street.