Miller, Preen successfully defend Khomas100 crowns
Namibian cycling star Alex Miller and South Africa’s Hayley Preen successfully defended their Elite men’s and women’s titles at the Khomas100 Gravel Championship after impressive performances over the demanding 140-kilometre route.
The championship attracted a strong field of Namibian and international cyclists, with the race starting at the Tony Rust Race Track outside Windhoek and finishing at Gross Barmen Resort near Okahandja. The mountainous D1958 route provided a stern test for riders throughout the race.
Miller, the reigning African Gravel Champion and Namibian Olympian, continued his dominance by securing the Elite men’s title for a third successive year.
The Namibian faced a strong challenge from South Africa’s Marco Joubert, who was competing at the Khomas100 for the first time. Miller applied pressure during the tougher sections of the route, eventually reducing the leading group until only Joubert could stay with him.
The two riders remained closely matched during the latter stages, with neither able to establish a decisive advantage. Miller ultimately relied on his finishing speed to edge Joubert in the sprint.
“I knew I had my work cut out. The South African guys were here in force,” Miller said.
He said his strategy was to put pressure on his rivals early in the race and was pleased that only Joubert managed to remain with him.
“I still felt fairly good with my kick, so I was confident coming to the end, but it’s always risky coming down to a sprint, especially against Marco, a South African champion,” he said.
Joubert said the altitude was one of the biggest challenges, particularly during the first half of the race, with the course reaching around 1,900 metres above sea level.
“I live at sea level, so I knew that was always going to be difficult,” he said.
He also expected Miller to attack throughout the race and chose to ride conservatively in the opening stages before engaging in a close battle with the Namibian over the final 40 kilometres.
“In the last 40 kilometres, we were one-twoing each other and neither of us could get away,” Joubert said.
Joubert was satisfied with second place on his Khomas100 debut, while Uganda’s Jordan Schleck Ssekanwagi completed the men’s podium in third.
Ssekanwagi overcame a puncture during the race but remained focused and worked his way back into contention.
“It wasn’t a lucky day, but I did what I could and managed to secure a podium position,” he said.
In the women’s Elite race, Preen produced another dominant performance to successfully defend the title she won last year.
The 2026 South African Gravel Champion made her move early, breaking away after about 15 kilometres and spending much of the race alone at the front.
“It was a long day, a long day on my own. I broke away on my own from about 15 kilometres in,” Preen said.
She added that riding alone allowed her to tackle the technical descents at her own pace and manage the demanding course safely.
Namibian Olympian Vera Looser finished second, while reigning Namibian Gravel Champion Anri Greeff claimed third after winning the national title in July.
The results underlined the growing competitiveness of the Khomas100, with leading riders from across the region once again tested by its demanding terrain.
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