UCI status boosts Tour de Windhoek women's profile

Cycling
Riders from African countries will have an incentive to make the trip to Namibia.
Brian Munango
  • 1 Week Ago 22 November 2024
The 2025 Pupkewitz Megabuild Tour de Windhoek road cycling race will take place over four days from 20 to 23 February in and around the Namibian capital city.

As new partners, Standard Bank (silver sponsor) and Pupkewitz Motors (mobility sponsor, ensuring seamless logistical support throughout the race) will fuel the popular competition which will kickstart the year for ambitious road cyclists.

The Tour de Windhoek women's race has received historic new status as the country's first to receive official accreditation from the world and continental governing bodies, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Confederation of African Cycling (CAC).

With UCI points up for grabs and the Tour de Windhoek included to appear on the UCI international calendar for women's races, it is likely to attract bigger numbers of professional female riders.

This milestone underlines Namibia's growing status in international cycling and a giant step forward to promote women's cycling in Africa. UCI ranking points are among the decisive criteria to determine participation in major events such as the World Championships or the Olympic Games.

Thus, UCI accreditation not only raises the Tour de Windhoek's status, but also contributes to the growth of competitive cycling in the region and improves its international footprint.

The main tour for elite men’s teams will be decided over four days and six stages, while amateur individual riders can enter the Tour de Windhoek Light to still experience the challenge of four stages over three days.

Elite men’s and women’s riders will compete for the Pupkewitz Megabuild yellow jersey (tour leader), the polka dot jersey (king and queen of the mountains), Pupkewitz Megaboards green jersey (best sprint riders), Standard Bank blue jersey (best Namibian rider) and Pupkewitz Motors white jersey (best young rider).

Martin Schoeman, managing director of Pupkewitz Megabuild, said at the launch yesterday: “This event embodies the spirit of athleticism and unity, and celebrates the breathtaking beauty of central Namibia. We are thrilled to once again sponsor the Tour de Windhoek, especially as we celebrate the UCI accreditation of the women’s race – a significant achievement for Namibian cycling."

The six exciting stages will test riders in various formats, including a prologue, individual time trial, road races, and an action-packed criterium around a loop in the city centre.

The tour will culminate in the grand finale and prize-giving ceremony at the newly opened Pupkewitz Megabuild Lifestyle.



Event schedule

Registration opens 29 November 2024.

Entry fees: N$6 500 per team / N$650 for TdW Light riders.

February 20: Registration and prologue (at Pupkewitz Megabuild Lifestyle).

February 21: Stages 1 and 2: road race (at Teufelschlucht) and individual time trial.

February 22: Stages 3 and 4: road race and criterium (at Pupkewitz Megabuild Central).

February 23: Final road race and prize-giving ceremony.

– [email protected] / [email protected]