How elite riders are conquering Africa’s harshest terrains as mountain biking booms

How elite riders are conquering Africa’s harshest terrains as mountain biking booms

By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Mountain biking is surging in popularity across Africa, with global race organizers capitalizing on the continent's diverse terrains—from mountains to deserts—for bike racing events. Morocco has recently hosted what is arguably “one of the most gruelling ultra-mountain bike races,” the 2024 Škoda Titan Desert Morocco. The annual, 6-stage, 600km race across the desert was held between April 28 and May 3 […]

May 23, 2024 7

Sport

Atalanta’s Gasperini glad to end Italy’s 25-year Europa League drought

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini is proud of bringing the Europa League trophy to Italy after 25 "cursed" years, the coach said after his side's emphatic 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the final. Ademola Lookman's stunning hat-trick helped Atalanta secure a second major trophy in their 117-year history in the final in Dublin on Wednesday. They became the first Italian club to win the competition since Parma in […]

May 23, 2024 12

Sport

Rookie Steinhauser wins breakaway while Pogacar consolidates Giro lead

German rookie Georg Steinhauser won the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Wednesday as Tadej Pogacar strengthened his huge lead at the top of the overall standings. The 22-year-old EF rider who escaped on a solo mountain romp is the nephew of former Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana champion Jan Ullrich. He was also notably third over the line on the challenging Queen stage on Sunday. […]

May 23, 2024 9

Sport

Koch can’t wait for Friday’s final against Gloucester

Springbok front row Vincent Koch believes it will be a "surreal moment" when South Africa's Sharks face Gloucester in Friday's European Challenge Cup final in London. Both the Sharks and English Premiership strugglers Gloucester will be looking to put poor domestic seasons behind them at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Sharks, despite a squad featuring several Springbok World Cup winners in Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche and Koch, […]

May 23, 2024 19

Sport

Barca women’s captain Putellas extends contract

Barcelona women's captain Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, on Tuesday extended her contract with the club by two years with an option for a third. The 30-year-old World Cup winning midfielder, the team's most successful player with 189 goals in 424 matches, has committed until June 30, 2026 with an option for a third season. "The is a very happy day for me, my family and […]

May 23, 2024 5

Namibia

Nyambe to miss World Cup qualifiers, Cosafa Cup due to injury

International footballer Ryan Nyambe, who plays for League One outfit Derby County in the United Kingdom, will not be available for the Brave Warriors squad for the World Cup qualifiers or Cosafa Cup as he is undergoing rehabilitation. Brave Warriors coach Collin Benjamin called up a 52-man squad earlier this month to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Tunisia on 05 and 09 June 2024, […]

May 23, 2024 21

Namibia

SPECIAL OLYMPICS NAMIBIA NATIONAL GAMES ERONGO 2024

Special Olympics Namibia is pleased to announce the Special Olympics Namibia National Games 2024 that will take place in Erongo region. Competition will take place on Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June 2024, at the Venita Stadium in Swakopmund. National Games occur every two years alternating between International Summer and Winter Games in the other 2 years. The Games provide athletes with an intellectual disability an opportunity […]

May 23, 2024 54

Namibia

Nambala and Ipinge find going tough at World Champs

Namibia’s T13 and T12 sprinters Johannes Nambala and Lahja Ipinge missed out on an opportunity to represent their country in the final of the World Para Athletics Championships after disappointing performances on Wednesday. The 2024 World Para Athletics Championships are underway in Kobe, Japan at the Universiade Memorial Stadium, with 11 para-athletes and seven guides representing Namibia. Ipinge and Nambala competed in the 100m and 400m categories respectively […]

May 23, 2024 10

Sport

Nche urges Sharks to “make history”

Sharks prop Ox Nche has urged his teammates to make history and become the first South African side to win the EPCR Challenge Cup The Durban-based team will go up against Gloucester in the final of the Challenge Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and a victory could help them seal their place in next season’s Chsmpion's Cup. That wouldn’t be a bad way to end the season after a difficult […]

May 23, 2024 13