By: Hee-Dee Walenga
The 2026 Nedbank National Road Cycling Championships took place over the weekend in Windhoek, with Anri Greeff successfully defending her Individual Time Trial (ITT) and Road Race titles in the elite women’s category.
New champions were crowned in the elite men’s category, with 2018 national champion, Martin Freyer, taking the 2026 ITT title and rising cycling star, Roger Surén beating 2025 national champion and 2024 Olympian, Alex Miller, in a sprint finish to claim the 2026 road title.
Speaking to the media after completing the 116km course five minutes ahead of her teammate Delsia Janse van Vuuren, Greef stated that “it was a good race, I managed to break away early. I am very happy to keep the title.”
The 18-year-old Surén shared that despite the unusual cold and wet racing conditions, it was a good race for him, too. “It was weird starting in the rain. But things got better and better. Alex and I played cat and mouse for a while, but I got him at the end,” the young star expressed after the 165km course.
“It was probably one of the hardest Namibian road races I have done. I am a bit disappointed, but in the end, the strongest guy won. I’m very proud of him,” Alex Miller shared after finishing behind the young Surén.
The junior men’s and women’s categories were won by Marco Thiel and Rosemarie Thiel respectively. Marco Thiel finished second in the same category last year. He told The Villager, “It feels good to get the gold, I was looking forward to this race. This is the first of many goals I want to accomplish this year.”
Namibian Cycling Federation president, Tauko Shilongo, was pleased with how the championships turned out. “This was a resounding success. No accidents or fatalities. I would like to thank all stakeholders,” Shilongo stated.
He also said there is no better accolade for the winners than donning the national jerseys as champions. Shilongo concluded by stating that the young field of cyclists is a reflection of the federation’s goals to prepare for the 2028 Olympics. “The federation is working towards LA 2028. We want the likes of Surén to be there,” Shilongo remarked.
Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony, Nedbank Namibia’s Head of Marketing & Communications, Gernot De Klerk, said “we took a decision back in 2013 to dominate cycling. Throughout the years, we realised the value of support. On a personal front, it has been the honour of my life to see and experience what this sport has become.”
