Experience will drive Drikus' motivation in North Africa

Drikus "The Machine" Coetzee will depart from Windhoek to Morocco this coming Monday for his next super-human challenge.His destination will be an icy Marrakesh where the 2025 Atlas Mountain Race takes place over a gruelling 1 350 kilometers finishing at Essaouira on the coast. The unsupported single-stage race will start on Friday 7 February. The Namibian is as motivated as ever in his second attempt at winning the prestigious title against more than 250 other solo riders. Twenty-seven women have entered for the ultra-distance, where riders also need to navigate the unthinkable total vertical climbing height of more than 21 kilometers.“This year’s distance will be slightly shorter than last year’s 1 350 km, because we took a forced detour due to an early part of the route being flooded. “The normal section has been brought back – which is actually one of the most challenging parts. From kilometre 60 to the first checkpoint at 126 km we’ll be climbing up to about 1 700 metres above sea level (about a thousand more than Windhoek). We’ll definitely encounter snow there, before we take on the next four kilometres of very rough 'hike your bike' downhill. But that is the only change to the route from last year.”The defending champion and race record holder, Justinas Leveike of Lithuania, does not appear among the preliminary entries. He participated in the grueling ultra-marathon for the third time in 2024. In 2022 Leveike had to withdraw after falling and suffering fractures. In 2023 he finished second in 96 hours 55 minutes. Last year, under constant pressure from the die-hard Namibian, Leveike achieved the impossible and won the race in a new record time (91:22). The previous record (92:15) set in 2023 belonged to Robin Gemperle of Switzerland.Unlike last year when the mercury often climbed to 48 degrees Celsius during the day, Drikus will now have to find his way across the Atlas Mountains in mostly freezing temperatures and even snow.Last year – after four days and four nights in the saddle – he unfortunately had to call it quits. Due to dehydration, exhaustion, malnutrition and with lack of sleep contributing to hallucinations, he lost consciousness approximately 58 kilometres before the finish line. He got up and rode 500 metres further before he completely collapsed, to be withdrawn from the race and rushed to hospital for a medical check-up.Making adjustmentsThe 31-year-old Drikus, who since then has become a dad, is approaching his upcoming Atlas Mountain Race with a fresh and improved strategy."With some experience under my belt, I’ve learned valuable lessons that will help me race smarter this time. I will be applying what I’ve learned last year to make better decisions throughout the race.“I’ll make sure to get more sleep each night, and stay focused on my own race rather than worrying about the riders ahead or behind, and pace myself more strategically.“Even though I was in a trance for three days, I discovered that my time-trial skills (he is a six-time national champion) could still give me an edge in the final stretch to Essaouira. The last section features better roads, which will work in my favour."I’ve also learned the importance of proper nutrition. This time, I’ll ensure my food supply supports my performance,” Coetzee told Sport Wrap.Two other hardened Namibian ultra-riders, Pierre Lambert and Nabil Robiati, also entered as solo riders for the Atlas from 7 to 16 February. Namibians will be able to live-track each rider in the race on the organisers’ website during the full course of the race.– tielman@nsh.com.na

Experience will drive Drikus' motivation in North Africa

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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Experience will drive Drikus' motivation in North Africa

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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