Dash winner shares winning formula
Rebecca Robisch from Germany held on to her Nedbank Desert Dash title in the women's 369-kilometre event in Swakopmund a week ago.
The Desert Dash cycling competition is one of a kind as cyclists travel from across the country to take part in the excruciating 24-hour cycling competition.
This year's event attracted participants from nine countries: Namibia, Spain, South Africa, Germany, India, Australia, Colombia, Austria and Poland.
But Robisch had a plan going into the race even though she felt lazy on the day.
“I was worried that I didn't train properly. But when I was in the start line all the negative feelings were blown away and I was 100% focused on the race ahead of me.
“My preparation was very simple. In the German summer I did some MTB marathon races, but just for fun, without any pressure or goal. In October and November I did some 3-4 hours cycling, spending three days in a week on the bike. I love mountains and when I cycle uphill I always go hard. Maybe that's my strong point and that truly prepared me for the Desert Dash,” said Robisch.
She further said the route was clear and she aimed to be fast at the Kupferberg Pass to catch the fast group of men.
“My legs were fresh and strong on the climb and I found a small group of fast men on the top. All the time I felt good. I had no weakness during the race. I just cycled and tried to do short stops at the checkpoints.
“I was never tired or bored. But sometimes I was sick of the roads with a lot of deep sand that took a lot of energy. I was moving very slow.”
The winner is a former professional triathlete and said that she spent her prize money of N$34 000 on a safari tour in Namibia.
In the men's solo, Konny Looser from Switzerland won the same amount of money. Looser also won the race last year.
Drikus Coetzee and Cobus Smit of Team Kia won the two-person team event and walked away with N$20 000. In the women's category, Michelle Vorster and Carmen Burger walked away with N$20 000.
In the four-person male category, Mannie's Bike Mecca walked away with N$13 000, Team Kia in second place walked away with N$8 000 and Gondwana Dust received N$6 000.
Edward Turner of Nedbank applauded all the cyclists who took part in the race.
“We all know that it is indeed not an easy journey to take. However you have persevered, pushed your bodies to their limits and have come out triumphant on the other side.
“You can all be proud of the fact that you have overcome the peril that is the desert and have shown to us today who you really are.
It really is amazing the amount of effort you put in to make this race possible. Thank you for this tremendous commitment, which lies at the core of making the Nedbank Desert Dash possible,” he said.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
This year's event attracted participants from nine countries: Namibia, Spain, South Africa, Germany, India, Australia, Colombia, Austria and Poland.
But Robisch had a plan going into the race even though she felt lazy on the day.
“I was worried that I didn't train properly. But when I was in the start line all the negative feelings were blown away and I was 100% focused on the race ahead of me.
“My preparation was very simple. In the German summer I did some MTB marathon races, but just for fun, without any pressure or goal. In October and November I did some 3-4 hours cycling, spending three days in a week on the bike. I love mountains and when I cycle uphill I always go hard. Maybe that's my strong point and that truly prepared me for the Desert Dash,” said Robisch.
She further said the route was clear and she aimed to be fast at the Kupferberg Pass to catch the fast group of men.
“My legs were fresh and strong on the climb and I found a small group of fast men on the top. All the time I felt good. I had no weakness during the race. I just cycled and tried to do short stops at the checkpoints.
“I was never tired or bored. But sometimes I was sick of the roads with a lot of deep sand that took a lot of energy. I was moving very slow.”
The winner is a former professional triathlete and said that she spent her prize money of N$34 000 on a safari tour in Namibia.
In the men's solo, Konny Looser from Switzerland won the same amount of money. Looser also won the race last year.
Drikus Coetzee and Cobus Smit of Team Kia won the two-person team event and walked away with N$20 000. In the women's category, Michelle Vorster and Carmen Burger walked away with N$20 000.
In the four-person male category, Mannie's Bike Mecca walked away with N$13 000, Team Kia in second place walked away with N$8 000 and Gondwana Dust received N$6 000.
Edward Turner of Nedbank applauded all the cyclists who took part in the race.
“We all know that it is indeed not an easy journey to take. However you have persevered, pushed your bodies to their limits and have come out triumphant on the other side.
“You can all be proud of the fact that you have overcome the peril that is the desert and have shown to us today who you really are.
It really is amazing the amount of effort you put in to make this race possible. Thank you for this tremendous commitment, which lies at the core of making the Nedbank Desert Dash possible,” he said.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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