• Cycling

Delsia (16) and Alex shine at Rock & Rut XC3

• 1 Month Ago 16 July 2024

Olympic-bound Alex Miller and U18 junior Delsia Janse van Vuuren excelled in the men’s and women’s categories at the third event in the 2024 Nedbank Namibia Rock & Rut cross-country mountain biking series.

Saturday’s event at Farm Bergquell, near Okahandja, took place on a new 4.6-kilometre track, which attracted a total of 75 cyclists.

Miller, who will represent Namibia at the Paris Olympics for the second consecutive time starting 23 July, claimed victory in the men’s race with a time of 1 hour, 21 minutes, 55 seconds.

Kevin Lowe finished second, clocking 1:22:50, while Martin Freyer secured third place with a time of 1:25:50.

Although Lowe led for the first two laps, Miller took charge early in the second lap and established a one-minute lead by the fourth lap, cruising to a comfortable victory.

Adrian Key (fourth), Brandon Plaatjes and Danzel de Koe were the next finishers of the six-lap race.

After the event, Miller praised the new track for its challenging and technical nature, which he found beneficial for his Olympic preparation.

“Congratulations to Nedbank Namibia and Rock & Rut for this magnificent track. It’s technical, a bit sandy, with difficult climbs. It offered a new set of challenges that helped me prepare for the Olympics,” he said.



Quick learner

In the four-lap women's race, Janse van Vuuren (16) crossed the finish line in 1:11:27, ahead of elite women Jaen-Marie Mostert (1:13:49) and Mimi Hough (third in 1:25:45).

Van Vuuren, recently returned from her European competitions, maintained a dominant lead throughout the race.

She pointed out the positive impact of her European experience on her performance. “The race went well; I pushed hard in the first lap, applying what I learned in Europe. Despite some back pain, I managed to keep a consistent pace and I'm pleased with my times. Racing on a new track was exciting,” she said.

She described the track as rocky and sandy, which motivated her to race both cautiously and competitively.



Organisers delighted

Rock & Rut Mountain Bike Club representative and event organizer, Michael Hennes, expressed satisfaction with the event’s success. “We’re delighted with the turnout and the positive feedback from riders. The technical nature of the track was well-received, and we look forward to hosting more races here.

“The track offers a comprehensive cycling experience with challenging climbs, long flat sections, sandy patches and sharp corners,” he said.

Farm Bergquell, a privately-owned farm collaborating with the Rock & Rut Mountain Bike Club, aims to advance mountain biking in Namibia by expanding single-track trails.

Nedbank Namibia communications and public relations manager, Selma Kaulinge, also expressed enthusiasm about the event's success. “The positive impact of the new venue on our cyclists, particularly in preparing them for international events, underscores the value of our investment.

"We look forward to supporting similar initiatives that foster growth in the sport and better prepare Namibian cyclists for international competitions,” she said.