Klopper and Young win Inaugural Hollard Hearts road race
Road cycling
Windhoek’s new freeway came alive on Sunday morning as cyclists took part in the first-ever Hollard Hearts Foundation Road Race. The 100km event saw South African riders Christiaan Klopper and Lucy Young from the Tshenolo Pro Cycling Team (TPCT) take top honours in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.
The men’s race concluded in a strategic sprint finish, with Klopper crossing the line in 2:12:53, followed closely by teammates Gustav Basson and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, all recording the same time. All three riders represented TPCT, a professional outfit known for its dominance in continental competitions such as the Mzansi NRS Series in South Africa and the Tour du Bénin. Sponsored by Tshenolo Waste, the team has enjoyed a strong 2025 season, securing numerous victories and podium finishes across Africa.
“This is my first time racing on the road here in Namibia, and I am honoured to be here with the whole squad,” said Klopper. “We really enjoyed it out there today. It was great to ride on the newly built roads. It was quite a fight to get away at the start, but eventually the elastic snapped and Gustav, Reinardt, and I managed to build a lead and stay away until the end.”
Janse van Rensburg, who last competed in Windhoek in 2011 at the Africa Championships, praised the event’s organisation and atmosphere. “It was very nice to be back here again. Thank you to Hollard Hearts for inviting us. It is always a pleasure racing in Namibia,” he said.
In the women’s 100km race, Lucy Young crossed the line first in 2:21:16, ahead of Namibia’s Vera Looser in 2:23:39 and Sonica Klopper in 2:23:40.
“I absolutely love Namibia,” said Young. “It’s slightly different to South Africa with your more open roads, especially going out to the airport on that long highway — it’s just incredible. It was a tough day because we started with the men, so it was full on from the start. I’m just so happy to have taken the win.”
The event also featured a 30-kilometre charity ride, where Tauko Shilongo, President of the Namibian Cycling Federation, finished third. “It’s the first of its kind to have a charity event on a new road. It shows how Namibia has developed,” he said. “The police and organisation were phenomenal. It’s a top-class event, and it should happen every year. Thank you to Anri and Standard Bank for making it possible.”
Race organiser Anri Parker described the day as a major success. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve been on the route all morning making sure everyone is safe. Seeing the power of these cyclists from Team Tshenolo was incredible. It was a fantastic race right to the finish,” she said.
The winners received N$25,000 for first place, N$15,000 for second, and N$5,000 for third. Team Tshenolo also swept the special prizes, with Lucy Young claiming the Queen of the Mountain title and Gustav Basson taking King of the Mountain, both earning N$5,000 each.
The inaugural Hollard Hearts Foundation Road Race brought together competition, community, and charity in an inspiring celebration of sport on Windhoek’s newest stretch of road.
The men’s race concluded in a strategic sprint finish, with Klopper crossing the line in 2:12:53, followed closely by teammates Gustav Basson and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, all recording the same time. All three riders represented TPCT, a professional outfit known for its dominance in continental competitions such as the Mzansi NRS Series in South Africa and the Tour du Bénin. Sponsored by Tshenolo Waste, the team has enjoyed a strong 2025 season, securing numerous victories and podium finishes across Africa.
“This is my first time racing on the road here in Namibia, and I am honoured to be here with the whole squad,” said Klopper. “We really enjoyed it out there today. It was great to ride on the newly built roads. It was quite a fight to get away at the start, but eventually the elastic snapped and Gustav, Reinardt, and I managed to build a lead and stay away until the end.”
Janse van Rensburg, who last competed in Windhoek in 2011 at the Africa Championships, praised the event’s organisation and atmosphere. “It was very nice to be back here again. Thank you to Hollard Hearts for inviting us. It is always a pleasure racing in Namibia,” he said.
In the women’s 100km race, Lucy Young crossed the line first in 2:21:16, ahead of Namibia’s Vera Looser in 2:23:39 and Sonica Klopper in 2:23:40.
“I absolutely love Namibia,” said Young. “It’s slightly different to South Africa with your more open roads, especially going out to the airport on that long highway — it’s just incredible. It was a tough day because we started with the men, so it was full on from the start. I’m just so happy to have taken the win.”
The event also featured a 30-kilometre charity ride, where Tauko Shilongo, President of the Namibian Cycling Federation, finished third. “It’s the first of its kind to have a charity event on a new road. It shows how Namibia has developed,” he said. “The police and organisation were phenomenal. It’s a top-class event, and it should happen every year. Thank you to Anri and Standard Bank for making it possible.”
Race organiser Anri Parker described the day as a major success. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve been on the route all morning making sure everyone is safe. Seeing the power of these cyclists from Team Tshenolo was incredible. It was a fantastic race right to the finish,” she said.
The winners received N$25,000 for first place, N$15,000 for second, and N$5,000 for third. Team Tshenolo also swept the special prizes, with Lucy Young claiming the Queen of the Mountain title and Gustav Basson taking King of the Mountain, both earning N$5,000 each.
The inaugural Hollard Hearts Foundation Road Race brought together competition, community, and charity in an inspiring celebration of sport on Windhoek’s newest stretch of road.
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