By: Hee-Dee Walenga
The Hollard Grand Prix Series, a year-long cycling competition consisting of five races – two mountain, two gravel, and one road cycling race – officially kicked off with a 75km race through the scenic Moon Landscape near Swakopmund on 4 April.
The series, which ends in October, allows riders to accumulate points throughout the year. The riders with the most points get a slice of the N$650,000 grand prize, the biggest in Namibian cycling history. The overall men’s and women’s winners will each walk away with N$250,000.
Over 300 cyclists competed during the first leg at the Moon Landscape.
18-year-old Marco Thiel won the men’s division, with Martin Freyer and Nathan Chase rounding off the podium. “It was a super hard race,” expressed Thiel after the race. “It was a lovely experience, the trails are incredible. I tried to stay behind Marco, but he was incredible,” shared Freyer.
The women’s division saw Olympian Vera Looser emerge victorious, as Anri Greeff and 18-year-old Rosemarie Thiel completed the podium.
Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) chief executive officer, Anri Parker, was also in attendance and shared with The Villager that cycling is one of the sports the NNOC expects to represent Namibia on international stages such as the Olympic Games.
“The Namibian Cycling Federation is one of the strategic federations that we look forward to seeing how they will perform at the various upcoming international competitions,” she stated.
The next leg of the Grand Prix Series will take place at Friedenau on 9 May 2026.
