Eritrean national anthem dominated day one of the Confederation of Africa Cycling (CAC) Africa Road Cycling Championships in Eldoret, uasin Gisu County.
Keven Teklemariam and Betiel Efrem led the Eastern Africa nation to win both junior men and women time trials after covering 22.5km and 11.2km respectively.
Teklemariam won the boys’ junior title after crossing the finish line in 28:46.214 with South African Alexander Erasmus (28:53.354) and another Eritrean Nahom Efriem completing the podium at 29:14.795 with top Kenyan Billy Mangwana Mbolo coming a distance in position 32:28.712.
“It was a good race for me because the course was so friendly since we train in the terrains back in my home,” said Teklemariam.
The same was replicated in junior women when Efrem won title at 16:40.697 ahead of Egyptian Ahmed Benbella Darwish who managed second position in 17:06.475 with Ethiopian Tsige Kahsay Kiros who completed the podium at 17:08.649.
The top Kenyan in the junior men’s time trial was Sherry Chepkemoi who finished in position 9 after clocking 19:46.738.
Competing in the under 23, another Eritrean Suzana Fiseha was victorious in 32:27.402 beating compatriot Adiam Dawit Mengs (33:04.366) to second as ethiopian Mieraf Gebregzabiher Aregawi was third in 34:04.981 after completing the 33.8km. In this event, the top Kenyan was Grace Wairimu Kamindo who finished 6th after clocking 36:20.849.
In Elite women, South Africans dominated the event with Lucy Young emerging victorious ahead of compatriot Ashleigh coming with Namibian Melisa Hinz completing the podium in 31:32.488, 32:04.848 and 33:38.332 in that order after clearing 22.5km distance.