The Nedbank Desert Dash, the world’s longest single-stage mountain biking event, returns for the eighth consecutive year.
The Nedbank Desert Dash will take place on December 9 and 10, 2022, with cyclists departing from Windhoek Grove Mall on Friday, December 9 and arriving at Swakopmund’s Platz A Meer on Saturday, December 10. The Nedbank Desert Dash is the world’s longest single-stage mountain bike race, with cyclists having 24 hours to complete the 393-kilometre course via the Khomas – Hochland Mountains and the Namib Desert to the coastal town of Swakopmund.
Nedbank Namibia conducted a media launch at the Nedbank Campus on Tuesday, 18 October 2022, to officially launch this year’s version of the mountain biking event. In his inaugural address, Nedbank Namibia Chief Financial Officer JG van Graan reflected on how the Covid-19 outbreak influenced the organization of last year’s Nedbank Desert Dash. “We were battling last year to overcome the problems of organizing sports events during the epidemic, and by divine grace, we are once again launching this great event without any restrictions or measures to be concerned about – that is something truly to be grateful for and celebrate,” he said.
The Namibian cycling community is mostly supported by Nedbank Namibia. The Nedbank Cycle Challenge, which has been running for 35 years, the Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power Race Series, the Nedbank Rock n Rut XC Series, and other cycling events are sponsored by the banks.
“Nedbank Namibia has been our country’s longest corporate supporter of cycling.” It has been over 35 years since our bank made its first deposit into a cycling investment in Namibia. Since then, Nedbank has been a continuous sponsor of several cycling events, including the Nedbank Cycle Challenge and sponsorship for a number of Namibian cycling groups,” van Graan added.
Since taking over the title sponsorship eight years ago, Nedbank Namibia has committed over N$ 8 million. This year’s competition has nearly 900 cyclists enrolled to compete in three categories: solo men and women, two-person teams, and four-person teams.
This year’s Nedbank Desert Dash will feature cyclists from 17 different countries, including the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, the United States, Germany, Canada, Germany, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Botswana, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, and Austria.
Her Worship, Dina Namubes, Mayor of Swakopmund, broadcast the ceremony live from her office on the seaside. She congratulated Nedbank Namibia on a job well done in organizing this occasion. “As a tourism-dependent town, we are delighted to welcome all our guests who will contribute positively to the development of our country,” she said.
Indongo Toyota, SuperSpar (Maerua and The Grove), and Hollard are all sponsors of the Nedbank Desert Dash.
