Nedbank Desert Dash online entries open today
Nedbank Desert Dash online entries open today

Nedbank Desert Dash online entries open today

Cindy Van Wyk
Sports Reporter



Registration for the 2021 edition of Namibia’s most iconic cycling event, the Nedbank Desert Dash, will open today.

Nedbank Namibia’s head of marketing and communications Gernot de Klerk said the last year was quite a watershed in terms of hosting a cycling event that attracts over a thousand participants.

“But it has given us some excellent insights into hosting a mega event within the challenges that the global health pandemic has been presenting since the first quarter of last year,” he added.

Entries for the solo category open at 10:00 today, with the two-person team entries following exactly a week later.

The most popular entries, for four-person teams, will open at 10:00 on Monday, 21 June.

Looking at all safety aspects

“We are quite optimistic that the increased rate of global vaccinations, coupled with heightened levels of vigilance to guard against the spread of Covid-19, will be hugely beneficial for our quest to host the Dash,” De Klerk said.

He has given the assurance of full refunds for paid-up registration fees in the event that travel restrictions, however unlikely at this stage, scupper international cyclists’ travel plans ahead of the race on Friday, 10 December.

“Our planning for the Dash has started in all earnest, having taken to heart many of the lessons of last year as well as the invaluable insights that we have gleaned from a number of races, albeit at a smaller scale, that we have hosted in 2021 in conjunction with the Namibian Cycling Federation and cycling clubs, and with the ever-watchful guidance of the Namibia Sports Commission,” the marketing head said.

Cycle Challenge update

De Klerk added that the rescheduling of the 2021 Nedbank Cycle Challenge, which was slated for February this year, is quite unlikely, however.

“Our initial intent was to host the races in June to coincide with the pre-scheduled races in the Nedbank/Windhoek Pedal Power Road Race Series and Nedbank/Rock & Rut Cross-Country Series respectively, but the current health regulations are simply not conducive for a race known for its mass participation appeal. Instead, our focus will now be on, firstly, hosting another world-class Dash in December and secondly, planning for the February 2022 Nedbank Cycle Challenge.”

Registrations can be done online at today.com.na.

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