Namibian cyclist Tristan de Lange was crowned champion of the Nedbank Namibia Desert Dash after beating six times winner Konny Looser to the line on Saturday morning.

The 393 kilometres (km) Nedbank Namibia Desert Dash race started at the Grove Mall in Windhoek on 10 December and finished on 11 December 2021 at Platz am Meer in Swakopmund.

The solo category saw De Lange beating Swiss rider Konny Looser who has won the title six consecutive times, in a photo finish. The third position was occupied by German rider Vincent Dorn who was just seconds behind them while another Namibian Drikus Coetzee occupied the top fourth spot in the solo category.

In an interview, De Lange said he was overwhelmed with the win, “It was a cat and mouse race today but I am happy that the leading group worked well together throughout the race.”

He added that that the leading group of three cyclists broke off from the rest of the riders midway through the race.

“The race was for us to control after taking the lead and beating Konny to the line was something,” said De Lange who echoed that he has a week to think if he will be defending his title.

Meanwhile, Looser who has won the Desert Dash since 2015 said he had a tough ride but was happy to cross the finish line.

“I had cramps midway through the race and couldn’t eat at most of the checkpoints but I managed to push through until the finish line,” he said.

The male Two-Person Team saw Alex Miller and JP Burger being crowned champions while Hollard’s four-person team of Andre Vermeulen, CP van Wyk, Ingram Cudd and Christo Swarts won the four-person male category.

The mixed team double was won by Bradon Downes and Genevieve Weber.

Speaking to the media after the race Miller and Burger said they had a good race despite their team being decided on the last minute.

“I am happy to see that Burger who joined me late to form a two-person team did well and we came in the first position. I started the race and pushed hard during the first stage of the race but my teammate also did well as we were not far from the solo winners who started the race 30 minutes earlier than those who rode in teams,” Miller said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency