Drikus Coetzee and Vera Looser continued with their brilliant start of the 2023 cycling season when they won the Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power Series Dobra Loops edition on Sunday morning.

In the men’s event, Coetzee took the lead just three kilometres from the start, winning the race in a time of two hours, 15 minutes and 16 seconds (02:15.16s) ahead of Konny Looser who crossed the finishing line after 02:21.49s seconds.

Third place was taken by Ingram Cuff who finished just behind Looser in 02:21.50s.

The men’s event saw the cyclist doing seven laps of 14.5 kilometres (km) loops which totalled 99 km, with the women cycling five laps of the same distances totalling 72.5 km.

In the women’s event, Vera piped second and third-placed cyclists Melisa Hinz and Genevieve Weber in the sprint by just a tenth of a second to win the race after clocking 02:57.00s.

Second-placed Hinz clocked 01:57.01 while third-placed Weber finished at 01:57.02s.

Speaking after the race, Coetzee said he enjoyed the race even though he was racing himself for more than 90 km.

“It was a good race, the wind was picking up as we raced and I kept pushing as hard as I could. I did not expect the group to fall back so early. My strong point is riding solo,” he said adding that the year has started strong for him and he will take each race as it comes.

Coetzee also said while he had a good 2022, this year he wants to have fun on the bike.

On her part, Vera said the race was easy as the route was relatively flat which made it difficult to pull away from the rest of the competitors.

“This was good preparation for me as I am leaving this afternoon (Sunday) for Ghana for the African Championships. It has been a good four races which have helped put some race intensity in my legs,” she said.

Coetzee and Looser have each won three races this year.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency