Nancy Debe, the Team Kenya captain at the CAC Road Cycling African Championships is optimistic that the they win medals at the championships that rides off tomorrow in Diani, Kwale, County.
Debe said that there will be a showdown in the elite women come Saturday as the country’s finest cyclists gear up for a defining weekend.
The champions kicks off on Thursday morning with Individual Time Trials (ITT) for Junior women, Elite and Mixed events, setting the pace for a weekend packed with high-stakes racing.
Friday will see teams contest the mixed relay before junior women and men take on their road races.
Saturday’s spotlight then shifts squarely to the Elite 107.6km and U-23 Women’s race.
Sunday brings the curtain down with the Junior Men’s road race and the Elite and U-23 Men’s gruelling 163.8km battle.
Debe believes the squad’s rhythm and unity, sharpened in recent continental battles place Kenya in prime position to challenge Africa’s heavyweights.
“We are all pumped up, everyone is ready to see what the other countries will bring,” Debe said.
She further highlighted the positive energy reverberating through the camp.
“The athletes have trained very well and are eager to show what they can do on the continental stage.”
Though confident, Debe acknowledges the unique challenge awaiting the team.
“Kwale is a different ball game, the altitude, terrain and humidity. I’d say it’s a completely new race.”
Still, she believes last year’s Eldoret experience will help the team steer through Saturday’s high-stakes contest.
“Last year was positive for us as Team Kenya because for most of the team it was their first time, especially the ladies. So they saw what they need to do and what they need to work on.”
Following their dominant displays at the Africa Women’s Cycling Championship in Burundi, Monica Jelimo and Grace Kaviro will be at the heart of Kenya’s medal hunt as they return to the saddle seeking yet another podium finish on home soil.
The Burundi Championship, held from October 5–11, saw Kenya crowned overall winners after a tactical and powerful showing.
Jelimo clinched silver (2nd overall), while Kaviro sealed bronze (3rd overall).
“I am hoping for a medal and I am very hopeful it happens,” she said, brimming with optimism.
Eritrea and South Africa remain Kenya’s toughest adversaries, boasting tactical mastery and deep experience, but Jelimo insists Team Kenya has mapped out a strong response.
“We have studied their game and we will try and stick with them during the race then see who wins,” she said.
At the 2024 African Championships in Eldoret, South Africa’s Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio claimed gold, with Eritrea’s Adiam Dawit and Rwanda’s Diane Ingabire finishing second and third.
To elevate Kenyan cycling, Jelimo believes the country must look beyond the continent.
“We need to get opportunities to do international races, go to Europe and compete against some top athletes in high-level races. I think that will give us much-needed exposure.”
She adds that the team’s preparations between Burundi and Diani have been timely and effective.
“We are just from Burundi where we secured an overall win for Team Kenya and straight away we are here in Diani for the African championships,” she said.
“We have been training in different regions of the country before coming to Diani this week to have a couple of days to acclimatize.”