All set to 40^th Nedbank Cycle Challenge

17 February 2026

It’s been 40 years since the Nedbank Cycle Challenge first took place as Namibia’s first ever corporate cycling event. This year, the historic race returns with a new format for cyclists, further emphasising its evolution from a modest gathering to a significant contributor to cycling development in Namibia. The 2026 event will take place on Sunday, 22 February, at the University of Namibia (UNAM).

Dubbed the ‘Greatest Ride Under the Sun’, the race has assumed the mantle for dominance for road cycling participation throughout the past 4 decades, and cyclists will be taking on 25km, 60km and 100km distances. They will start in the staggered sequence:

07:00 am - 100 km

07:30 am - 60 km

08:00 am - 25 km

The Nedbank Cycle Challenge introduced new event organisers, LEMA Events, which is the same team responsible for organising the coveted Nedbank Desert Dash. Mannie Heymans from LEMA Events said: ‘As the new organisers of the Nedbank Cycle Challenge, we take great pride in continuing the legacy of Namibia's most iconic race. Our focus this year is on 'elevation', not just in the terrain, but in the total rider experience.’ Heymans was the winner in the junior men’s category when the race first saw the light of day in 1986.

He added that they designed fresh, challenging routes that showcase the best of the city’s landscape and test the competitive aspects of the race, while implementing enhanced safety and logistics to ensure every participant enjoys the competition from start to finish.

The riders will start at the UNAM sports field and cycle on the Dr Hage Geingob Freeway towards the Hosea Kutako International Airport. They will make a U-turn at the Dordabis turnoff and head back to the city before turning towards Kupferberg for 15 km. They will then make a U-turn back to finish the race at the Unam Sports Field.

Online entries will close on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, via the Pay Today platform on events.today.com.na/events/9.

The cycling competition is open to everyone, from seasoned cyclists to fitness gurus, as well as those who want to ride for fun. Late registration, race briefing, and changes to entries can be done on Saturday, 21 February, between 10:00 - 11:00 at the UNAM sports fields for an extra fee of N$150.00.

This event will see the return of the popular Nedbank Kidz Challenge for the first time this decade, taking place on Saturday, 21 February. Kiddies Event organiser Charmain Shannon, said they are targeting to register 100 kids on the day, and registration will take place from 09:00 at the venue, with a route mapped around the UNAM campus precincts: ‘We want the kids to have fun while cycling at an appropriate venue. We therefore call upon parents to bring their kids as early as 09:00 for registration, with the races taking place between 11:00 and 12:00.’

Nedbank Namibia Chief Operational Officer JG van Graan said that, as money experts who do good, the Nedbank Cycle Challenge is more than just a race; it is a platform for nurturing Namibian talent: ‘We have seen incredible athletes like Dan Craven, Costa Seibeb, Vera Looser, and Alex Miller dominate these local routes before taking the Namibian flag to the world stage, with a number of them creating excellent national pride for our country at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. At Nedbank, we aren't just sponsoring a sporting event; we are investing in a pipeline of excellence that proves Namibian cyclists can compete with the very best globally.’

Van Graan added that the Nedbank Cycle Challenge is a celebration of harmony, which supports eco-friendly mobility while promoting a competitive spirit.