Nedbank Desert Dash entries open

Entries for this year’s Nedbank Desert Dash opened with the solo category on Monday, followed by the the two-person team categories seven days later, and the four-person team categories on 19 June.

The longest single-stage mountain bike event in the world returns for its 19th consecutive year on 8 and 9 December.

Preparations for this year’s event are underway with some exciting developments, which include a first ever e-bike category.

This new category will only apply to the four-person teams, where each cyclist would be required to ride on an e-bike.

In this years’ event, only 15 e-bike slots will be available, and cyclists will have to familiarise themselves with e-bike rules upon entering the race.

“It is notable to see how far this race has come. We are in the 19th edition of the race, and just like the steady pedalling of a cyclist, this event has continued to push boundaries and forge ahead with unwavering determination,” Nedbank Namibia spokesperson Selma Kaulinge said in statement on Friday.

The 397-kilometre cycling race will start at Grove Mall in Windhoek, run through the Khomas-Hochland Mountains and the Namib Desert, and end at Swakopmund.

Last year the race had over 1 100 cyclists registered across the three categories, and saw Namibian cyclist Drikus Coetzee win big by finishing the solo men’s category in 15 hours, 17 minutes and nine minutes.

To date, Nedbank Namibia has invested just under N$10 million since taking over as title sponsor eight years ago.

The event is co-sponsored by Indongo Toyota, SuperSpar Maerua and Grove Mall, Hollard, Trek, and Ciovita.

Visit www.desertdashnamibia.com for more information.

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