Millions to view Namib Quest

WINDHOEK DOCTA GONZO Ever since its inception in 2011, the Windhoek Lager Namib Quest Mountain Bike (MTB) Challenge has been regarded as one of the most gruelling mountain-bike races in the world, attracting riders from many countries. This coming Sunday 20 teams from five countries will line up for the start of the six-day stage race from Windhoek via the Khomas Hochland and the Namib to Swakopmund. While the usual thrills and spills are expected, this year's race will be historic. An estimated 600 million people in some 240 million homes worldwide will be able to watch two slots of 13 minutes each on television. This exposure of the Windhoek Lager Namib Quest is thanks to Sports Unlimited, the world's biggest alternative sports programme, who will be filming the race and screening it worldwide; unprecedented for a Namibian sporting event. Launching the third edition of the Quest, organiser Tinus Hansen of African Extreme Promotions (AEP) thanked Namibian Breweries, represented by Ian Stevenson and Danie Keulder, for their huge sponsorship. Our goal at AEP is to put Namibia on the map as an adventure tourism destination through mountain-biking and trail running, to develop mountain-biking and trail running as a sports codes in Namibia..., and to assist our sponsors in promoting their brands to help with the stimulation of the Namibian economy, Hansen said at the launch of the Quest on Tuesday. The organiser added that this year's event will be widely viewed as AEP has secured some great television deals. The Quest will be screened 12 times on DSTV's SuperSport, which will result in six hours of viewing to an audience of millions throughout Southern Africa and other international markets. AEP has also secured a deal to showcase the event through Sports Unlimited, which will secure some 600 million viewers worldwide, Hansen said. Over a period of six days, two-men/women teams from Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the USA will traverse the mighty Khomas Hochland escarpment; pass through the majestic Namib Desert and finish in Swakopmund. Hansen confirmed that last year's winning team, consisting of Almero Barnard and Ludwig Malherbe from Cape Town, will be there on Sunday morning to defend their title.