Miller, Mostert win in Nedbank Rock and Rut XCO

9 April 2024  Namibian top mountain bike cyclist Alex Miller continued with his fine form in the first leg of the Nedbank Rock and Rut XC series as he dominated the XC0 race from start to finish, winning the event for the fourth time in a row in a time of one hour, 25 minutes, and six seconds (01:25:06).

A total of 120 cyclists participated in the event, which took place at the IJG Trails in Kleine Kuppe, Windhoek last Saturday.

In the elite men’s race, Miller, led from the start to the finish, ahead of Kevin Lowe, who finished second in a time of 01:26:36. The third place was taken by Martin Freyer, who clocked 01:28:15.

In the elite women’s race, Jean-Marie Mostert won the event in a time of 01:02:05, ahead of Mimi Hough, who clocked 01:09:53 in second place, and Ulrike Steidler, who finished in 01:16:38 in third place.

Speaking after the race, Miller said he was happy to kick off the series with a win.

“I am looking forward to competing for the Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power Series and the Nedbank UCI XC 1, which are scheduled to take place in the next two weeks. I am hoping to see a few international riders at the UCI XC1. The track was good, not too technical, with lots of loose corners that were quite busy, and I had to get used to the terrain again. The weather was nice,” he said. 

Miller added that he was enjoying his stay in South Africa, where he is learning a lot, and was keeping his fingers crossed that Namibia gets a slot for mountain bike racing at the 2024 Paris Olympics later this year.

One of the event organisers, Michael Hennes, who is the treasurer of Rock and Rut Mountain Bike Club, said they were happy with the turnout at the event.

“This was the first event of the year that saw 120 riders participate. It is always good to see new riders taking part in these races, but also riders returning after being absent for a few years. The cyclist felt the track was not too difficult; overall, the event was a success,” he said.

Nedbank Namibia Communications and Public Relations Manager, Selma Kaulinge said: “The turnout and support of this first leg of the Nedbank Rock and Rut XC Series was immense, and we are thrilled to see how it plays out for the remainder of the series. As money experts who do good, we have consistently supported the Namibian cycling fraternity to nurture novice and professional cyclists by hosting elite events like the Nedbank Rock and Rut XC Series, the Nedbank Windhoek Pedal Power Race Series, the Nedbank Cycle Challenge and the coveted Nedbank Desert Dash,” Kaulinge said. 

The next leg in the series, the Nedbank Rock and Rut UCI XC 1, will take place on 20 April at the same venue, and will see cyclists in the junior and elite categories race for Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) points which boost their rankings on the global cycling classifications.