Swiss cyclist and six times winner of the Nedbank Namibia Desert Dash in the solo category Konny Looser has vowed to defend the title which he convincingly won on six different occasions.

The 2021 edition of the gruelling 24 hours 393-kilometre desert ride is slated for 10 and 11 December from Grove Mall in Windhoek to Platz am Meer in Swakopmund.

In an interview with Nampa on Wednesday, Looser said this will be his seventh time competing in the Desert Dash and he is looking forward to another exciting ride that will see cyclists travelling over the Khomas Hochland Mountains and through the Namib Desert to the Atlantic coast.

“I’m confident as my shape is good and I can trust in a lot of experience,” he said.

He added that there is a little bit of pressure ahead of the race, but his goals are clear.

“I would like to defend the title… If not, it’s only a bike race and life goes on. I’ve had a long season but I could maintain a high level throughout the year,” Looser said.

The Swiss marathon mountain bike rider, who is a regular to Namibia, said he arrived in the country just over two weeks ago to acclimatise as well as get used to the heat and altitude.

“I put a little bit more effort into it than in previous years because the competition will be bigger. But I’m confident and looking forward to it,” said Looser.

The 24-hour ride which is expected to see over 800 riders challenge each other for 393 kilometres will start at 15h00 on Friday in Windhoek and end at the same time on Saturday in Swakopmund.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency