Over 900 cyclists from 17 different countries have registered to compete in this year’s Nedbank Desert Dash that will take place on 09 and 10 December.

The iconic single-stage mountain bike race sees cyclists riding 397 kilometres over 24 hours through the Khomas Hochland Mountains and the Namib Desert, to the coastal town of Swakopmund.

Cyclists from countries such as the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, the United States of America, Germany, Canada, Germany, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Botswana, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, France and Austria will be competing in the gruelling 24-hour-race.

Nedbank Namibia Chief Financial Officer, JG van Graan, on Tuesday said the organising of last year’s Nedbank Desert Dash was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last year we were battling to overcome the challenges of organising sports events during the pandemic, and by divine grace, we are once again launching this epic event without any restrictions or measures to be concerned about. That is something to be truly grateful for and celebrate,” he said.

Van Graan added that it has been more than 35 years since Nedbank first started investing in cycling in Namibia. The bank has invested over N.dollars 8 million since taking over as title sponsor eight years ago.

Cyclists that registered to compete in this year’s Nedbank Desert Dash will race across the three categories which are; solo men and women, two-person teams and four person teams.

The race will kick off on 09 December, departing from Grove Mall in Windhoek on Friday at 14h30 with the final cut-off time set from 14h30 to15h30 at Swakopmund’s Platz Am Meer on Saturday, 10 December depending on the different categories.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency