PROJECTS: TEAM BENN

Team BEN Namibia is a group of Namibia's top cyclists committed not only to developing the sport of bicycle racing in Namibia, but to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. This new initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Embassy through a grant from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Nucleus Health and Fitness Club and Bicycles for Humanity.

Team BEN Namibia cyclists race in all of the major Namibian competitions, including the National Road Cycling Championships, the National Mountain Bike Championships and the National Time Trial Championships. The team also competes in Windhoek Pedal Power competitions, a series of 10 elite level road cycling competitions every year. The team also participates in a series of five mountain bike competitions organized by Rock n’ Rut.

In 2008, the team walked away with several accomplishments. These include:

• Winning several races and placing on the podium in several Windhoek Pedal Power races. One rider was named the 2008 Male Cyclist of the Year by the cycling body, while others captured overall second and third place in the series.
• Capturing first and second place at the national mountain bike championships, in the under-23 category.
• Winning the team open category at the year’s major cycling race, the Cycle Classic, in the 100 km category.
• Sending two riders to South Africa for elite-level training.

While early in 2009, the team is already performing well. Highlights include:

• Winning both the 35 km and 75 km open team category at the year’s first major race, the Nedbank Cycle Classic.

Meet the team members:
Learn more about the 10 cyclists who make up Team BENN.

Background:
Namibia is one of Africa's strongest cycling countries, despite its small population of 1.8 million people. Although there are many Namibians with the desire to be champions, few are able to make it because of the constraints of poverty.

Team BEN Namibia aims to give young cyclists a hand up on their way to great achievements.

All team members are committed cyclists and some have already had a taste of competing outside of Namibia. They all know what it is to start out with very little and work towards a dream and each is very clear about how their success can inspire other youth from their communities. In this way, Team BEN Namibia aims to be a platform for the development of cycling in Namibia.

The team is also committed to promoting awareness of issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and acting as role models for their peers. The Spin for Life tour will visit towns throughout Namibia and launch incentive schemes for people to get tested.

A pilot scheme, where a bicycle was offered as a prize with other incentives, saw testing increase from 49 people per month to 310 in the month the incentives were offered.