Miller to have fun on his bike in Paris

Not many people can say they’ve been to the Olympics. It’s no easy thing to accomplish, says Namibian star cyclist Alex Miller who is headed for a second appearance at the games.

Miller has come a long way to realise this dream and is upbeat about his prospects when he takes to the trails in Paris, France on Monday.

The 23-year-old is relishing the prospect of coming up against the world’s best over two days of action at Élancourt Hill, southwest of Paris, where 36 men and 36 women riders will compete in the cross-country Olympic mountain bike races for honours.

The decorated Miller is one of two Namibian cyclists bound for Paris 2024, where four athletes overall from the Land of the Brave will be looking to fly the flag high.

The opening ceremony commences on Friday, with the mountain bike event taking place from 28 to 29 July, and the road race on 3 August.

Miller will share the national flag-bearer responsibility with Vera Looser, the other cyclist, which is an honour, he says.

“This is my second Olympics, it’s quite special. Not many people get to say they’ve been at two Olympics, never mind one. I’ve been blessed,” Miller said in a promo video on the Namibia Athletes Commission’s Facebook page.

“The first time was 2021 [Tokyo Olympics], so three years ago. I think I’ve gotten a lot stronger, both physically and mentally, I think.”

Evidence of Miller’s marked improvement since the last Olympics was amplified when he won the men’s cross country bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games and African title in 2022, which he followed up with a silver on his UCI Marathon World Cup debut in the Czech Republic in May this year.

Factor in the slew of national competitions he has topped with ease since ending 31st in Tokyo, and Miller may well have a case of being a dark horse for a podium finish in Paris, or there about.

“My coach [Hans du Toit] and I, we’ve come a long way. I can confidently say that meeting him changed my life. We work well together, and I’m super happy,” Miller says of the brains behind his transformation from just another local on a bicycle to a world class competitor.

“Recently, it’s gotten a lot better for me, because obviously my results in some of the races have been up there.

“I’ve gone into those races thinking, I feel good. I’m going to give it my best shot. If it’s a top 30, top 20, I’ll be happy with it. But there I go, fighting for the win. For me, it’s been really motivating,” says Miller.

But it is not all about competition and winning for Miller, a genuine cycling enthusiast who finds immense fulfilment on a bike.

Part of his success is down to just having fun.

“You’re at one with yourself. The good feeling you get out of it, it’s so rewarding. I mean, you’re riding a bike, man,” Miller says.

“I love being outdoors. It’s so cool. It’s a sense of freedom,” he continues.

“Some of the earliest moments, like I said, growing up on a farm in the south of Namibia, far away from any civilisation. Being in the backyard, building jumps, trying to jump as high as possible, as far as possible. Then doing some longer rides with my older brother.”