South African Preen Hayley and Rwanda’s Nyirarukundo claimed the Elite and Under-23 titles, respectively, on the penultimate day of the CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Diani, Kwale County, on Saturday evening.
Hayley won the fourth gold medal for the “Rainbow Nation” in the women’s 107.6-kilometre road race by clocking three hours, 10 minutes and 31 seconds, beating Eritrea’s Birikiti Fessehaye (3:10:34) to second place with Rwandan international Claudette Nyirarukundo sealing podium in 3:10:49 as well as winning the Under-23 title.
In the women’s under-23 race, run simultaneously over 107.6 kilometres, Rwanda’s Nyirarukundo struck gold ahead of compatriot Jazilla Mwamikazi and Eritrea’s Suzana Fiseha.
“It was hilly, but I did my best to climb and ride fast. I was expecting to take the gold medal,” she said.
Nyirarukundo added that her strong form was shaped by racing at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships held in Kigali last September.
“I participated at the World Championships, and Rwanda also has a Racing Cup every month, so I used these competitions to prepare for this championship,” she noted.
But the early fireworks came from Rwanda’s Martha Ntakirutimana who launched a daring solo attack and held a fierce two-minute lead, forcing the peleton into a tense chase going into the C106 onto the hills towards the Kwale County Government headquarters.
But as the kilometres wore on, the punishing conditions caught up with her, and she eventually faded to 21st.
“We didn’t think we would bring it back, but we pushed to the end and managed to take it. We could see her ahead and could tell she was hurting,” Hayley said.
Her gratitude to her teammates was clear, acknowledging their critical role in controlling the race: “The Eritrean had a lot of support at the finish line, so that may have motivated her, but I held on,” she said.
Fresh from winning the African Gravel title in Namibia in August, Hayley said she arrived in Diani hungry to complete a rare continental double.
“There was great support throughout the course, especially on the last climb to the finish. It was a really great feeling.”
On the Kenyan side, it was disappointing, with Kendra Tabu was the best-placed local rider, finishing 19th.
Monica Jelimo placed 29th, with Nancy Debe crossing the finish line in 32nd.
Jelimo said the Kenyan team took pride in completing the grueling contest.
“The race was tough and hot. We are happy we were able to finish and we did good despite the heat. As Team Kenya, we’re glad we finished with no major incidents.”
Debe noted that while Kenya still trails the continent’s strongest cycling nations, progress is visible.
“We’re happy Kendra was up there with the best. We are not so good, but we are getting there. We’re not too disappointed and also not happy. After this, we’ll sit down as a team and see what we can do next.” The penultimate day started with a fun ride over 14 kilometres that was open to anyone who had a bike, just to have a feel of the competition course