Rwanda, Mauritius and Tunisia recorded victories in the opening day of CAC Road Cycling African championships being staged in Kisumu.
Rwandan Diane Ingabire and Mauritius’ Alexandre Mayer were elite women and men winners in the lakeside city as kenya hosts the continental championships for the third time in a row.
Ingabire won the elite women’s 20.4km Individual Time Trial (ITT) after delivering a blistering performance to cross the finish line in 31:02.74 ahead of Mauritius’ Aurelie Halbwachs to second at 31:04.28 with South Africa’s Lucy Young secured third position at 31:26.12.
However, it was disaponting for Kenya when Dinna Kemonya and Kendra Tabu were 6th and 7th in 33:33.82 and 33:39.74.
Mayer of Mauritius stamped his authority in men’s elite 30.6km ITT in 32.49 followed by Eritrea’s Merhawi Kudus (40:42.05) with Uganda’s national champion Charles Kagimu timing 41:06.09 for third place.
Tunisia’s Aziz Dellai Mohamed claimed the men’s Under-23 30.6km ITT title after producing the fastest ride in 42:48.03 ahead of Uganda’s Paul Miro (44:20.38) with Seychelles’ Jahdel Gabriel completing the podium in 46:10.10 with Kenyans failing to complete.
Rwanda continued to make its presence felt in the women’s Under-23 20.4km ITT, with Jazila Mwamikazi powering to victory in 31:17.58.
South Africa’s Marzaan Mellett finished runner-up in 31:45.36, while Ethiopia’s Tsige Kiros secured third place after clocking 32:03.99.
Kenyan riders Megan Ivuzu and Hannah Kibet finished 13th and 14th respectively, recording times of 36:43.46 and 37:40.56.
Mauritius’ Tristan Hardy claimed the men’s junior 20.4km ITT crown after stopping the clock at 26:49.02, edging South Africa’s Henro Van Der Walt, who finished second in 26:54.55.
Algeria’s Selmane rounded off the podium in 27:07.32, while Kenya’s Frankline Kibet finished 21st in 32:52.78.
In the women’s junior 10.2km ITT, Rwanda’s Yvonne Masengesho powered to victory in 15:37.19.
Egypt’s Joudy El Sayed finished a close second in 15:40.71, while Ethiopia’s Madison Bateson claimed third place in 16:18.77.
Kenya’s Sharon Cheruiyot finished 10th overall in 18:04.87, while compatriot Linet Akoth placed 15th in 23:21.96.
Selected results
ITT Elite men 30.6km
- Alexander Meyer (RWA) 40:32.49
- Merhawi Kudus (ERI) 40:42:05
- Charles Kagimu (UGA) 41:06:09
Women Elite 20.4km
- Diane Ingabire (RWA) 31:02:74
- Aurelie Halbwachs (MAU) 31:04:29
- Lucy Young (RSA) 31:26:12
Men under 23 30.6km (ITT)
- Yafiet Mulugeta (ERI) 41:53:76
- Joshua Dike (RSA) 42:02:00
- Ryno Schutte (RSA) 42:40:26
Women under 23 20.4km
- Jazilla Mwamikazi (RWA) 31:17:58
- Marzaan Mellet (RSA) 31:45:36
- Tsige Kiros (ETH) 32:03:99
Junior men 20km
- Tristan Hardy (MAU) 26:49:03
- Henro Van Der Walt (RSA) 26:54:56
- Selmane Mansouri (ALG) 27:07:32
Women Junior 10.2km
- Yvone Masengesho (RWA) 15:37:19
- Joudy El Sayed (EGY) 14:40:71
- Rahel Gimbato (ETH) 16:08: