Coetzee and Greeff claim national gravel titles
Drikus Coetzee and Anri Greeff were crowned Namibia's national gravel cycling champions after standout performances at the inaugural N/a'ankusê Namibian National Gravel Championships, held north of Windhoek last weekend.
The event attracted nearly 300 cyclists and doubled as the third round of the 2026 Hollard Grand Prix Series, with riders competing for valuable championship points across the 145km, 95km and 50km distances.
The flagship 145km championship race got underway in freezing early morning conditions, with riders tackling a demanding course featuring approximately 1 300 metres of climbing. The route headed north of N/a'ankusê Lodge before returning through the reserve for the final 15km.
In the men's championship race, Coetzee, representing Hollard and Davin Trust, edged Ingram Cuff in a thrilling sprint finish to secure the Namibian national title.
The women's race saw South African rider Catherine Kruger cross the line first, but with the national title reserved for Namibian citizens, second-placed Greeff was crowned the 2026 Namibian Gravel Champion. Both cyclists ride for Hollard.
Thiel siblings' dominance
The 95km race belonged to the Thiel siblings, with Marco Thiel and Michelle Thiel claiming the men's and women's victories respectively. Marco's win further strengthened his lead in the Hollard Grand Prix Series standings as he continues his chase for the overall N$250 000 series prize.
In the 50km event, York Ahrens and Qara Volschenk claimed the men's and women's honours, highlighting the depth of emerging talent within Namibian cycling.
Series Race Director and event organiser Johan Pretorius praised the success of the inaugural championship.
"For the first N/a'ankusê race, I am extremely happy with the number of entries and the quality of the cyclists who participated. It was particularly encouraging to see so many new faces and to experience the talent of our young and upcoming riders," he said.
Lived up to the occasion
Pretorius added that the challenging route lived up to the occasion.
"I believe the course we designed presented a challenge worthy of a national championship and the titles awarded to the winners. Overall, the event was thoroughly enjoyed, and we are extremely grateful to our main sponsor, Hollard, all our supporting sponsors, and N/a'ankusê for hosting us at this exceptional venue."
Riders and supporters were welcomed with coffee and muffins on the chilly morning, while traditional braai meat was served throughout the day. Finishers received specially designed N/a'ankusê medals, podium finishers earned Hollard Grand Prix Series medals, and national champions were presented with their official championship medals.
The strong turnout and competitive racing marked a successful debut for the N/a'ankusê event, which is expected to become a key fixture on Namibia's growing gravel cycling calendar.
