Windhoek: Namibian cyclists Alex Miller and Drikus Coetzee say they have prepared well for the upcoming Khomas100 cycling challenge, which will see the best riders on the continent compete for International Cycling Union (UCI) points.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the cyclists will also compete for a spot at the World Championships in the 2025 Khomas100, an African gravel bike championship accredited by the UCI and sanctioned by the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC). The Namibian Cycling Federation (NCF) will feature elite riders competing over 155 kilometres from Windhoek to the Gross Barmen Resort in Okahandja.

Scheduled for Saturday, the race will take riders across a route known for its speed, winding through a mix of flat plains and challenging climbs with an elevation gain of approximately 2,300 metres.

In an interview with Nampa on Thursday, Miller, who competes in Europe, said he has been back home training as he prepares for one of the toughest African races of the weekend. ‘I’m looking forward to Saturday. I’m feeling super good. And obviously, the goal would be to win it. Being the defending national champ, it would be a huge honour to also win the African title,’ he said.

Miller added that since this is the first UCI-accredited race on the continent, it is expected to attract some big names, making it both exciting and competitive. ‘Having the first African continental champs, which also doubles as one of the UCI World Series races, is a positive sign of the sport’s progress. It’s great to see that progress is slowly coming to Namibia,’ Miller said.

Meanwhile, Coetzee, who is using the race as part of his preparations for the upcoming Badlands race in Spain, told this agency that having the Khomas Gravel African Champs accredited by the international body is a major milestone. ‘This shows that we are building a strong presence in hosting UCI events, and the fact that it’s the first UCI Gravel African Championships on Namibian soil makes it a very special occasion for Namibian cycling,’ he said.

Coetzee also stated that this year, he will not be competing in the elite category for the African or Namibian titles. ‘I’m competing in my age category as a sub-veteran to avoid pressure and expectations. I have a big race coming up the following weekend, and I want to seek my first European ultra win; that’s the main goal. But since this is such a big occasion, I feel I need to be present at the Gravel Championships. I will most likely try to win my age category, but I don’t have specific goals for the Khomas100,’ Coetzee said, adding that it will be good to see Namibian riders contesting for the African title.