Aussie wins West Coast MTB Challenge

Australian Cameron Wright’s participation in a mountain bike race in Swakopmund over the long weekend was a last minute decision which also provided him with an opportunity to come to Namibia for the first time.

Little did he know that he would - in fact - win the Elite 75km category for men at the sixth West Coast MTB Challenge sponsored by Hollard, a competition that forms part of the Dirt & Gravel Series.

About 350 cyclists from all over Namibia and of all ages participated in the various competitive categories, which included the 75km and 35km races (and a 20km fun ride), as well as a 5km and 15km trail run through the rough but scenic terrain of the Swakop River Valley along the Namib Desert and within the Dorob National Park.

The start and finish line, which also included good food, cold drinks and friendly socialising, was at the Moonlight Resort located at the Swakopmund plots.

Wright finished his race in 2:39:58, which is about 10 minutes short of the course record, but thick sand and wind as well as accidently missing the trail may have led to the loss in time. He told Namibia Media Holdings that the event was very well organised and described the track as “awesome”.

'Pretty stoked'

Staying in Cape Town for a few months, a friend invited him to Namibia, Wright said. “It was actually a last-minute decision for me to come down here and race,” he said, adding that his friend first told him about a race in Windhoek – and then told him of a “cool marathon” taking place in Swakopmund over Easter weekend.

“I said: ‘cool, let’s go!' I’ve never been to Namibia, and it’s awesome here. The racing was also pretty amazing – and I feel the track suited me a bit,” he said, adding that it was sometimes hard to tell if he was still on track.

“I went the wrong way once and had to get back, and I dropped the bottle once or twice – it was one of those days you just hope for the best but I managed to pull it off and I am pretty stoked about it.”

Asked whether he plans to participate in the Desert Dash at the end of the year, he said: “I heard of that, but I am not sure I will be able to last over such a long race. When I come back to Namibia, I might check it out”.

Challenging conditions

Swakopmunder Jeanne Heunis won the Elite 75 km category for women in 3:02:23. This was her fifth race in this specific challenge. She said the conditions were challenging and while the start was favourable with the wind behind the riders, they cycled against it on their return. “There was a time I found myself 100 metres ahead and I thought that I was going to go for it, and so it turned out to be a good race,” she said.

Heunis added that she always tries and do well at a home race, and added that the West Coast challenge was also good preparation for the races for the rest of the year. “This is only the beginning for the rest of the year,” she said.

Successful day

Event organiser Silvio Suardi said it was a very successful day with 350 riders and runners, and was particularly special to be over the Easter weekend when friends and family could join at the venue.

"The conditions were tough with the early morning wind as well as large patches of soft, thick sand that was the result of recent rains in the area.

“But that is what this is all about; it can’t always go our way,” he said, mentioning that one rider even had an accident that landed him in hospital with a broken arm and knee injury. Thanks to E-Med staff, who were able to enter the rough terrain, the cyclist was taken to hospital as soon and safely as possible.

Suardi said the competition is becoming more competitive and hopes are that it will continue to grow to bigger and better heights.