There are races that require a combination of incredible stamina, mental strength and a dash of adventure. The Desert Dash in Namibia is just such a race - and if anyone knows how to excel at this epic event, it's Swiss mountain biker Konny Looser.
The race: An extreme experience in the desert
The Desert Dash is no ordinary bike race. At 401 km, it leads through the endless expanses of the Namibian desert - from Windhoek to Swakopmund. Heat during the day, freezing cold at night and challenging terrain make the event one of the toughest touchstones for athletes. It is the combination of the breathtaking scenery of the Namibian desert and riding through the night. Under the starry sky under a half moon, the atmosphere is incomparable. “You don't see much of the landscape, but the feeling is magical,” says Konny.
However, the race also comes at a price: the sand and gravel mean there is hardly any variety, no long descents - the riders have to pedal constantly. The monotonous effort puts extreme strain on the muscles, especially the neck and back.
The Desert Dash is divided into several stages and can be completed alone or in a team. In addition to checkpoints, there are refreshment stations with potatoes, cola and water to help replenish energy stores. Particularly exciting: on the last few kilometers, everyone often rides together, which can quickly change the race situation.
Konny's connection to the Desert Dash began when he met his wife in South Africa in 2014 and took part in the race in Namibia with her for the first time as a mixed 2-man team. In the years that followed, he competed as an individual, making him one of the 250 solo riders who take on the challenge every year. With 1,100 starters, the race is one of the biggest sporting events in Namibia and is a prestigious event that electrifies the entire sporting community. Stories about the race fill newspapers and radio programs. For Konny, it is the personal challenge that drives him every year. “It's something special to be part of this scene. The appreciation for the sport here is enormous.”
Konny's winning streak: On top for the eighth time
This year's Desert Dash was something very special for Konny Looser. It was his eighth victory in this race - an incredible record that cements his status as a Desert Dash legend. Konny usually finishes his racing season in November with one last big event and then goes into a quieter phase. This year, however, after the end of his professional career, he trained specifically for the Desert Dash. Two weeks before the race, he traveled to Namibia to get used to the heat and spend a relaxing time with friends and his wife.
This preparation paid off - because one of the biggest hurdles is the heat. Nutrition also plays a crucial role in this extreme physical exertion. Konny is lucky that his body copes exceptionally well with the heat and can manage with little water. Nevertheless, he struggles to keep himself hydrated in high temperatures and so he had to struggle with the effort, especially at the start of this year's race.
The Desert Dash is unpredictable - with constant highs and lows. “You should never think about the big picture, only about the next stage,” says Konny, describing his strategy. And it worked with his eighth victory.
