NamibiaSport

The Namibian Cycling Federation will host the National Mountain Bike Championships in Windhoek on Sunday morning.



Marc Bassingthwaighte

The event, which is sponsored by Windhoek Consulting Engineers, will take place at the MOTH Hall next to the SPCA in Robert Mugabe avenue.

The track is very technical with steep descents and long climbs. Standing on the tower will give one a great view of the riders coming down the mountainside.

This is very much the same track that was used for the African MTB Championships in 2007, although it has shifted more to the western side of the mountain. This will give spectators the opportunity to view the riders for much more of the event. This will also be the final mountain bike event for the year.

Namibia’s top riders in all age group categories, from U12 to Masters will compete for Namibian champion status. Entries will be taken at the venue from 07h00 on Sunday morning, while the Sprogs U12 category will start at 08h00 with the other categories to follow. The entry fee is N$100 per cyclist.

Heymans takes a break

Namibia’s Olympian Mannie Heymans will not be competing as he is taking a well-earned rest following the Olympic Games in Beijing. Heymans competed at his third successive Olympics in Beijing, where he came 45th in the Mountain Bike Cross Country event.

In Heymans’ absence, Marc Bassingthwaighte should start as the favourite to win the senior title. Bassingthwaighte has been in great form this year, winning the South African MB Cross Country series earlier in the year. He has however been out injured and only recently recovered from a muscle injury.

Ermin van Wyk and Heiko Redecker could provide some stiff competition for Bassingthwaighte. Van Wyk has been in good form after joining a professional team this year, while Redecker is one of Namibia’s top junior cyclists coming through the ranks.

The prize giving ceremony will start at 12h30 where the champions in each category will be rewarded with gold, silver and bronze medals.