Hollard Grand Prix Series offers N$620 000 in prize money

Cycling
The newly launched five-race series will replace the premier annual MTB marathon series, Gravel and Dirt.
Mariud Ngula
  • 3 Hours Ago

The Hollard Grand Prix Cycling Series, launched in Windhoek on Monday, boasts a prize purse of N$620 000, including N$250 000 each for the overall winners in the men’s and women’s categories.

Second place will be rewarded with N$50 000, while third place will earn N$10 000.

Event organisers described the initiative as a bold new multi-discipline racing series aimed at raising the bar for competitive cycling in the country, with the season running from April to October.

Hollard Namibia launched the five-race series in partnership with Heineken 0.0 and Standard Bank Namibia.

The series caters for both men and women across several categories, including Elite, Sub-veteran, Veteran, Master, Grand Master, Rhino Men, as well as an Open/Junior category over shorter distances.

Rewarding consistency

The series is designed to reward consistency, performance and commitment, while integrating mountain bike (MTB), gravel and road racing into a single championship structure.

Speaking to Sport Wrap, series director Johan Pretorius said the concept replaces the long-running Gravel and Dirt MTB marathon series, which focused exclusively on off-road racing.

“This new concept caters for all cycling disciplines and a wider range of riders, from professionals to recreational cyclists. I don’t believe there is another series in Africa that offers this level of variety,” said Pretorius.

In a statement, Hollard said the series will traverse some of the country’s most iconic cycling terrain.

The races will be hosted in partnership with established event organisers and sanctioned by the Namibian Cycling Federation, with entries for each race managed by the respective organisers.

Points will be awarded to the top ten finishers at each event, with bonus points available for King and Queen of the Mountain segments. The final race of the series will carry double championship points.

To qualify for the overall standings and prize money, riders must complete a minimum of three events.

Five-race calendar

The series will open with the Moon Landscape MTB event in Swakopmund on 4 April, followed by the Friedenau Gravel Challenge at Friedenau Farm near Windhoek on 9 May.

The N/a’an ku sê Gravel Challenge, scheduled for 25 July east of Windhoek, will serve as the national gravel championships.

The Khomas 100, which was recognised last season as the African Continental Gravel Championships, will be staged on 22 August, with organisers optimistic about retaining its continental status.

The series will conclude with a road cycling finale at the Hollard Hearts Foundation Cycling Festival in Windhoek on 18 October.

Hollard said the prize pool is among the largest ever committed to cycling in the country and reflects its ongoing investment in sport, wellbeing and community development.

“[Hollard will continue to] support the growth of cycling as both a competitive and lifestyle pursuit in Namibia,” the statement read.

‘High-quality competition’

Namibian Cycling Federation president Tauko Shilongo welcomed the launch, noting the sport’s growing popularity nationwide.

“As we look ahead to major events such as the Commonwealth Games later this year and the Olympic Games in 2028, it is important that athletes have access to regular, high-quality competition at home,” said Shilongo.

Namibia National Olympic Committee chief executive officer Anri Parker said the series will help riders gain experience, confidence and readiness for international competition.

Heineken brand manager Carol Msadu expressed excitement about partnering with Hollard on the initiative.

“We look forward to supporting cycling events across the country while promoting responsible consumption through the Heineken 0.0 variant,” said Msadu.

Standard Bank Namibia representative Gaby Horne said the bank is proud to be associated with the series and supports initiatives that promote healthy living.

Hollard Namibia chief executive officer Jaco Lamprecht said the series’ multi-discipline format will benefit athletes, organisers and communities alike.

“We are giving spectators something exciting to follow throughout the year,” said Lamprecht.

The launch was attended by several elite cyclists from the Hollard cycling team, including Delsia Jans van Vuuren, Anri Greeff, Theuns van der Westhuizen and Drikus Coetzee.
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