TEAM BENN: MARIO STRAUSS

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In his own words:
When I was I young, I always had a bicycle and in school I did a lot of sports. Sports was everything to me, it made me happy and let me meet new friends.

My first race was the Nedbank Cycle Classic in 2004. I started with the 30 km race and my heart beat so hard when the president of Nedbank counted down the last five seconds before the race. I didn't do that well in te race but I saids to myself, 'This is what I want to do'.

Training and racing is tough but I love it. I dream of being a pro-cyclist.
Team BEN Namibia must be serious and hardworking. I don't want to win the races but I want my team to win, so I will work in front for my team and give all that I have for te last kilometres so that my teammates can finish on the podium.

Selected Results:
2005
3rd - SPAR Otjiwarongo - 100km
16th - Cycle Classic - 100km
4th - Cape Argus, Group MM - 110km

2006
8th - Cape Argus, Group K - 110km

2007
7th - Cape Argus, Group K - 110km

About Team BEN Namibia:
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.