Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The 2025 Nedbank Namibian Mountain Bike XCC, XCO, and Cross-Country Championships will take place this weekend at Towerbos Trails.
The event, hosted by the Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF) and sponsored by Nedbank Namibia, will feature the Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) race on Saturday.
On Sunday, cyclists will compete in the Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) and Electric Cross-Country (E-XC) events.
Nedbank Namibia Communication Manager Selma Kaulinge said the event will showcase Namibia’s cycling talent, from seasoned professionals to future stars.
She said the national championships form a key part of the cycling calendar and provide opportunities for local cyclists to gain Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) points.
“These national races serve as platforms for Namibian cyclists to accumulate crucial Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) points, which are essential for global rankings and, ultimately, for qualifying for international events such as the Olympic Games,” she said.
The races are open to riders of all age and skill categories. Saturday’s action will start at 09h00 with the Nipper Under-10 and Sprog categories, followed by youth and veteran races at 10h00.
The elite men, women, and under-23 categories will begin at 11h00.
Kaulinge said the event is an important stepping stone for cyclists with international ambitions.
She pointed to riders like Alex Miller, who rose through national XCC and XCO events to represent Namibia at the Olympics. Others who have come through the same route include Tristan de Lange and Vera Looser.
“Beyond Olympic qualification, the Nedbank Namibian Mountain Bike Championships are integral to the Namibian cycling ecosystem. They provide a crucial training ground and venue for the world-famous Nedbank Desert Dash,” she said.
“As money experts at Nedbank Namibia, we believe in doing good in the communities in which we operate. Our continued sponsorship of these races and the broader cycling series reflects this philosophy. These races are more than just sporting events; they are investments into our national sports development, as they provide a platform for our athletes to thrive and enable them to compete on an international level.
Namibia Cycling Federation president Tauko Shilongo said the federation is committed to delivering a high-quality event.
“The NCF is deeply involved in ensuring the highest quality of races, from sanctioning and technical oversight to promoting fair play and rider safety. Our role is to provide a structured and supportive environment that allows our cyclists to perform at their peak. We are working closely with our stakeholders and sponsors, Nedbank Namibia, to ensure this event meets international standards,” said Shilongo.
