Cyclists to take on hills south of Windhoek in Nedbank Rock and Rut Race

NDN Staffer

WINDHOEK, APR. 13 – Nedbank Namibia, the Namibian Cycling Foundation (NCF) and the Rock and Rut Mountain Bike Club are hosting the Nedbank Rock and Rut XC1 (C1) and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Junior Series XCO on Saturday, 14 April 2018 in Windhoek, Namibia from 07h00 – 16h30.

Cycling is not only a healthy pastime, but it also allows for people to experience the beauty of the outdoors. The Nedbank Rock and Rut Race course, a 4.2km, single track route, has challenging climbs which will provide the local Namibian enthusiast and international riders with breathtaking views of the capital city whilst putting their fitness to the test. The course is to the south of Windhoek, close to the Klein Kuppe suburb.

The Nedbank Rock and Rut Race is one of the many cycling events Nedbank is involved with. The Bank first hosted a competitive cycling event in 1986 which has since grown into the most popular and biggest cycling race in Namibia, the Nedbank Cycle Challenge. For the past three decades, Nedbank has played an integral role in developing cycling in Namibia and providing opportunities for Namibians to compete on an international stage.

The Nedbank Rock and Rut Race is sanctioned by UCI, this means that the race is up to international standards as participants must oblige to UCI’s rules and regulations, and riders with UCI licenses can earn points that are used to rank cyclists globally.

UCI points and prize money will be awarded to the top finishers in the Elite and Junior Men and Women categories, with the first-place riders in the Elite Men and Women categories (ages 19+) taking home €240 and 60 points each. The first-place riders in the Junior Men and Women categories (ages 17-18) will take home €52 and 90 points each. The other top nine riders in each category will also take home prize money and points.

The Junior and Elite races will begin at 10h30 on Saturday, 14 April. Other levels of cyclists will have the chance to participate beforehand from 7h00 – 10h30. Younger riders, ranging from under 10 years to 16 years, will also be able to exhibit their skills on the track on Friday, 13 April, from 14h00 – 15h30.