Nedbank national XCM championships set for this weekend
Road racing
The 2025 Nedbank Namibian National Championships for Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) and E-XCM will take place this weekend, on Saturday, at Farm Bergquell in Okahandja. The event will start at 07:00 and conclude at 13:00.
President of the Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF), Tauko Shilongo, confirmed that preparations are nearing completion, noting that the competition remains one of the most important fixtures on Namibia’s cycling calendar. The championship determines the national titleholders who will earn the coveted national jersey and the opportunity to represent Namibia at regional and international events.
“The NCF is dedicated to strengthening cycling across all disciplines in Namibia, and the Nedbank National XCM race is a cornerstone of this strategy,” Shilongo said. “This event is critical for the development of our cyclists, giving them a high-stakes, competitive environment right here at home to test their limits and secure their national champion status. The calibre of cyclists Namibia is producing is nothing short of world-class, and their success in international competitions is a testament to the talent development structures we have in place.” He added that, together with Rock and Rut, the NCF has placed strong emphasis on ensuring a safe and competitive racing environment, underlining the event’s dual focus on both development and excellence. The inclusion of the E-XCM category highlights the growing influence of technology in the sport, broadening participation and reflecting a more inclusive vision for mountain biking in Namibia.
Nedbank Namibia’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Gernot de Klerk, underscored the bank’s continued commitment to the sport, saying, “The Nedbank National XCM Cycling Championship is far more than a mountain bike race; it is a catalyst for national pride and personal excellence. At Nedbank, our purpose is to be money experts who do good, and our commitment to Namibian cycling perfectly embodies this ethos.”
He noted that Nedbank’s support extends beyond the XCM, as the bank also backs key events such as the Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge, the Nedbank Cycle Challenge, the Nedbank Rock and Rut XC Series, and the globally recognised Nedbank Desert Dash, which will take place in early December 2025. “By providing a platform for our athletes to compete and be crowned national champions, we are directly investing in their dreams and their future,” De Klerk added. “This event plays a vital role in the talent development pipeline, offering the visibility and accreditation our cyclists need to secure places on international teams and at global championships. We are incredibly proud to play a role in elevating Namibia’s status as a leading cycling nation in Africa.”
Winning the Nedbank National XCM title has proven to be a launch pad for international success. Former champions such as Roger Suren, Delsia Janse van Vuuren, Alex Miller, and Vera Looser have excelled at the highest levels, representing Namibia at events such as the UCI World Marathon Championships, the African Continental Championships, and the Olympic Games.
Suren recently claimed silver in the Junior Men’s Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) race at the UCI MTB World Championships in Valais, Switzerland, while Van Vuuren impressed at the World MTB Championships in Andorra. Miller captured a historic gold medal at the African Continental Championships, further underlining the global potential of Namibian riders.
Events such as the Nedbank National XCM Championship continue to provide vital experience and exposure for local athletes, ensuring Namibia remains a strong contender on the international cycling stage.
President of the Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF), Tauko Shilongo, confirmed that preparations are nearing completion, noting that the competition remains one of the most important fixtures on Namibia’s cycling calendar. The championship determines the national titleholders who will earn the coveted national jersey and the opportunity to represent Namibia at regional and international events.
“The NCF is dedicated to strengthening cycling across all disciplines in Namibia, and the Nedbank National XCM race is a cornerstone of this strategy,” Shilongo said. “This event is critical for the development of our cyclists, giving them a high-stakes, competitive environment right here at home to test their limits and secure their national champion status. The calibre of cyclists Namibia is producing is nothing short of world-class, and their success in international competitions is a testament to the talent development structures we have in place.” He added that, together with Rock and Rut, the NCF has placed strong emphasis on ensuring a safe and competitive racing environment, underlining the event’s dual focus on both development and excellence. The inclusion of the E-XCM category highlights the growing influence of technology in the sport, broadening participation and reflecting a more inclusive vision for mountain biking in Namibia.
Nedbank Namibia’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Gernot de Klerk, underscored the bank’s continued commitment to the sport, saying, “The Nedbank National XCM Cycling Championship is far more than a mountain bike race; it is a catalyst for national pride and personal excellence. At Nedbank, our purpose is to be money experts who do good, and our commitment to Namibian cycling perfectly embodies this ethos.”
He noted that Nedbank’s support extends beyond the XCM, as the bank also backs key events such as the Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge, the Nedbank Cycle Challenge, the Nedbank Rock and Rut XC Series, and the globally recognised Nedbank Desert Dash, which will take place in early December 2025. “By providing a platform for our athletes to compete and be crowned national champions, we are directly investing in their dreams and their future,” De Klerk added. “This event plays a vital role in the talent development pipeline, offering the visibility and accreditation our cyclists need to secure places on international teams and at global championships. We are incredibly proud to play a role in elevating Namibia’s status as a leading cycling nation in Africa.”
Winning the Nedbank National XCM title has proven to be a launch pad for international success. Former champions such as Roger Suren, Delsia Janse van Vuuren, Alex Miller, and Vera Looser have excelled at the highest levels, representing Namibia at events such as the UCI World Marathon Championships, the African Continental Championships, and the Olympic Games.
Suren recently claimed silver in the Junior Men’s Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) race at the UCI MTB World Championships in Valais, Switzerland, while Van Vuuren impressed at the World MTB Championships in Andorra. Miller captured a historic gold medal at the African Continental Championships, further underlining the global potential of Namibian riders.
Events such as the Nedbank National XCM Championship continue to provide vital experience and exposure for local athletes, ensuring Namibia remains a strong contender on the international cycling stage.
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