Hesron Kapanga After three months away from competitive racing, Namibian international female cyclist, Vera Looser, has set her sights on tackling the gruelling 401km 2026 Nedbank Desert Dash race in the solo category. Looser, who has previously competed in the 24-hour mountain bike race regarded as one of the world’s most iconic events, told Nampa... The post Looser sets sight on solo Nedbank Desert Dash return appeared first on New Era .
**Hesron Kapanga **
After three months away from competitive racing, Namibian international female cyclist, Vera Looser, has set her sights on tackling the gruelling 401km 2026 Nedbank Desert Dash race in the solo category.
Looser, who has previously competed in the 24-hour mountain bike race regarded as one of the world’s most iconic events, told Nampa she is eager to return to the sharp end of competition after recovering from an operation.
“It’s nice to be at the sharp end again, close to the sharp end, and also just to race again. I’ve been off racing for three months after undergoing an operation, but I was back on the bike saddle at the N/a’an ku sê National Championships four weeks ago, serving as a tentative comeback,” she said.
Her recent second-place finish at the demanding Khomas100, an International Cycling Union-accredited endurance race, provided another important step in her return to competitive cycling and preparation for the races ahead.
“The experience of once again competing in the Khomas100 proved valuable.
I worked well with Anri (Greeff) during the latter stages of the race, which helped in managing the difficult conditions, although the race remained unpredictable until the end”.
Looser said her immediate focus is on rebuilding her fitness and regaining confidence through racing, rather than placing unnecessary pressure on herself to deliver results.
“I think this year I’m kind of finding my fitness again. I’m doing some more racing, but all without expectations, because I first want to see where this could bring me now. Next year I definitely want to attack again and be right at the top again”.
Despite being in the early stages of her comeback, Looser has already set herself a formidable challenge for the Desert Dash: to complete the 401km race alone.
“I’m actually intending to go solo for the Nedbank Desert Dash. I don’t know if that was a good idea or a bad idea, but I can tell you afterwards. I did a solo before, but quite a while ago”.
Looser completed the Desert Dash solo in 2016 but acknowledged that returning to the format after several years away will be a significant test.
“The miles are picking up, so that’s good. And it’s getting better week by week”.
The 401 km mountain bike challenge will also allow her to measure herself against some of the strongest riders in one of Namibia’s toughest and most prestigious cycling events.
Entries for the 2026 Nedbank Desert Dash opened in June, with local and international cyclists invited to take on the legendary cross-country challenge from 11 to 12 December.
*-Nampa *
The post Looser sets sight on solo Nedbank Desert Dash return appeared first on New Era.
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