Miller, Baber cycle to victory
Namibia's Alex Miller and South Africa’s Lilian Baber won the elite men's and women’s races in the 2024 Nedbank Namibia XC1 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) C1 and UCI Junior Series XC0 races that were held at the IJG Trails in Windhoek on Saturday.Miller led from start to finish as he led fellow countryman Kevin Lowe to a one-two finish ahead of South Africa’s Michael Foster in third place. Miller defended his title for the second year running by claiming the top spot at 01:28:08, while Lowe recorded a time of 01:29:41 and Foster clocked 01:30:50.
Speaking after the race, Miller said he enjoyed it despite being hard. “I enjoyed the track. Even though it was not a comfortable race, I am happy to score 60 UCI points. The points will help me with the rankings, as the more points you get, the higher you get to start in the cross-country races, world championship events and international events.
Miller added that he was looking forward to defending his national title this coming weekend before jetting off to Spain, where he will participate in various international events before racing in the African Championships taking place in Morocco on 11 and 12 May.
“This is a fast track with many corners which can get you out sometimes, so you have to be sharp and play it safe. The weather was perfect, with lots of sun and no wind,” Miller concluded.
As for the rest
In the women’s race, Barber finished in 01:20:30 ahead of Zimbabwe’s Stacy Hyslop, who clocked 01:27:15, while Namibia’s Jean-Marie Mostert took third place in 01:28:58.
In the junior men’s race, Namibia’s Roger Suren beat South Africa’s Omar Alexander Wilson and Samuel Cleary to claim the 2024 title at 01:04:54. Wilson clocked 01:04:56, with Cleary finishing after 01:04:56.
In the women’s junior competition, Namibia’s Delsia Janse van Vuuren beat South Africa’s Carla Jansen van Vuuren and Erin Faye Mackridge. Delsia came home first at 01:04:41, with Carla clocking in at 01:06:17 and Mackridge finishing in 01:08:14.
Chairperson of Rock and Rut Mountain Bike Club, and event organiser, Hanso Diehl, said everything went well as no major incidents were recorded. “We are happy with how the event turned out. The participation of athletes from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Lesotho raises the level of racing. We’re very proud of how well our Namibian cyclists competed in such a strong field. We appreciate the support of the spectators, volunteers and sponsors who make events like this a success.”
Nedbank Namibia Communications and Public Relations Manager, Selma Kaulinge said: “Seeing our Namibian cyclists take top honours in a field of skilled cyclists from neighbouring countries is testimony to the level of expertise our cyclists have accumulated over the years. Nedbank Namibia is extremely proud to see that our contribution to the sport of cycling has witnessed Namibian cyclists take centre stage and defend their titles in the different race categories is a phenomenal achievement.”