African Road Cycling Championships Kick Off

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Teams from almost 20 countries are taking part in the event, an occasion carrying a lot of clout on the continental cycling calendar.

2024 African Road Cycling Championships kick off in Rift Valley.Photo by The Nairobi Tribune.

By Robert Mutasi

The 2024 African Road Cycling Championships officially began in a scenic Rift Valley region of Kenya on October 9, 2024.

This prestigious event has attracted the top cyclists from across the continent with a promise of five days of fierce competition and showcasing the best of the talent that African cycling can offer.

Henok Mulubrhan of Eritrea, the two-time defending men’s champion, is back to defend his title.

Mulubrhan was also named the 2023 African Cyclist of the Year and is due to line up for a 175km course that will pass through the famed running hubs of Eldoret, Iten, and Kapsabet.

I didn’t plan to go there this year, I only found out a few days ago, but I wanted to go so I can win my third African title and that would be a record,” Mulubrhan exclaimed in an interview recently.

The Kenyan team is led by its captain, Nancy Akinyi Debe, with a combination of 42 riders all geared up to make their presence felt on home turf.

It has also sent a strong contingent of 13 riders, amongst them double champion Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and professional Callum Ormiston.

Teams from almost 20 countries are taking part in the event, an occasion carrying a lot of clout on the continental cycling calendar.

The Championships get underway with a full day of individual time trials in different categories on October 9.

Then come the team time trials, mixed relays, and individual road races for both juniors and elites.

The competition will be completed with the men’s elite individual road race on October 13.

Biniam Girmay, an Eritrean history-making cyclist, currently competing for the Astana Qazaqstan Team, affirms that the African championships are a necessity:.

The African Championships are one of the biggest races in Africa. You represent your country on the continent and if you win it, you’re going to wear the jersey for the following season, like I did in the last couple of years. Plus, you can make a good amount of UCI points, so it’s really nice to be there,” Girmay said.

With competitions set to begin, focus will yet again shift to Rift Valley, known for its’ well-endowed athletes.

The event is a commemoration not only of the competitive spirit but also of the increased presence of African cyclists on the world stage.

From seasoned champions to emerging talents, the 2024 African Road Cycling Championships promise to be an exciting showcase of endurance, strategy, and pure will.

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