f l t r Henry Hoepfner (Pedal Power), Faantjie Jurgens (Nedbank Chief Financial Officer), Gordon Pokolo (Namibia Breweries), Vito Tjozongoro (Nedbank), Bill Turton (Nedbank MD), Jackie Waskow (Namibia Health Plan), Steven Beresford (Radio Wave)
See also Story on page 8. Photo: Doctor Kandjavera

Each February, hundreds of cycling enthusiasts gather in the city centre of Windhoek for the annual Nedbank Namibia cycle tour, which this year takes off on 11 February (entries close on 4 February). In 2007 it will be the 20th consecutive year that the bank has sponsored this fun event.
At a media conference on 17 January, Bill Turton officially launched the 2007 cycle tour. He gave a short historical overview and thanked the partners Windhoek Pedal Power, Radio Wave, NHP and Namibia Beverages.
At the same time, the bank announced a fantastic offer, which should not make anybody with a bicycle think twice about participating: „At Nedbank Namibia we realize that money can be tight - everything tends to get more expensive on a regular basis. That is why we want to make banking more accessible and more affordable... If you enter the Nedbank Namibia cycle tour and you want to purchase a house before 31 March 2007 or want to bring your home loan to Nedbank Namibia, we will give you and or your direct family a rate of PRIME MINUS 1,75%“.
Nadbank Namibia is giving away  savings accounts of N$ 250 each to 10 lucky draw entrants of the cycle tour. The first five will be drawn amongst all early entrants during January 2007 and the remaining five will be drawn on the last day before the take-off on 11 February.
Turton challenged all Namibians, cyclists or non-cyclists to benefit from the incentives offered and take part in a family event that is designed for all, offering healthy fun and family entertainment and of course: - let the best cyclist win.
This year some 1500 participants and at least another 2500 supporters are expected to take part.
The cycle tour began in 1986, when one staff member of the bank arranged a small cycle tour for his sons and a few of their friends. From 15 participants, the Nedbank  Namibia cycle tour has steadily grown over the years with 650 entrants in the year 2000, some 900 in 2001 and in 2002 it took a big jump to 1438 participants. For the past three years the tour stabilized around 1400 to 1500 cyclists. It is the biggest sporting event in terms of participants on the Namibian sporting calendar.
Race numbers are to be collected on Saturday, 10 February at the Cohen Fistball Club between 13h00 and 15h00. Race numbers can not be collected obn Sunday.
The start is at 8h00 in front of Independence Branch of Nedbank.  Distances are 30 km and 70 km. Cut-off time is 11h30