Ethiopians and Mauritius cyclists braved the early morning hot weather, starting the CAC Road Cycling African Championships on a high note in the opening day of the championships in Diani, Kwale County.
Just like last year, The Ethiopian Kiros Kahsay Tsige and Mauritius’ Hardy Tristan were the women and men junior winners in the Individual Time Trial (ITT), the first events of the day.
After winning bronze last year in Eldoret, Tsige promoted herself to gold in Diani, winning the women’s title in 19:59.09 ahead of Eritrea’s Tesfu Adyam who was second at 20:09.80 and Rwanda’s Yvonne Masengesho who clocked 20:30.22.
”I was well prepared for the race and I knew I would finish on the podium today. This is my second time at the African championships, I was here last year in Eldoret where I won bronze,” she stated.
Tsige, who fulfilled her dream by joining the European cycling team is now eyeing glory at the Tour de France Femmes in the near future.
Adyam meanwhile was banking on Eritrea clinching gold and silver.
”It was my first time to run outside of Eritrea. We had been preparing for this event the whole year because we are the defending champions.”
”We had expected to bring home two medals, gold and silver but unfortunately my compatriot crashed with 500m to go,” she said.
Meanwhile, Masengesho noted that before coming to the continental showpiece, she had tested herself at the UCI World Championship held in Rwanda in September.
”This was my first African Championship but I had competed at the World Championships in Rwanda,” she said.
Kenyan riders Mercy Eragae and Sharon Cheruiyot finished 10th and 12th respectively clocking 24:40.45 and 26:03.49.
Eragae who was making her second appearance at the continental showpiece after her appearance last year in Eldoret highlighted the difference in climate.
In the men’s race, Tristan stopped the clock in 17:12.82 with Eritrea’s Efriem Nahom in second place clocking 17:33.34 with South African Woolley Dean in third place clocking 17:34.03.
”I think my performance was good, the only challenge was the heat but I was feeling very fast on the course.”
”This was my second time at the African championships, I raced in Ghana two years ago and it was also hot just like here in Diani,” Tristan said.
“I did a whole season in France and one month ago I started focusing on preparations for this championship.
”My main area of focus in training was to ensure I had sharp acceleration,” he added.
In the men’s junior race Kenyan Joseph Muiruri and Nicholas Amani finished 24th and 25th respectively clocking 21:56.50 and 22:58.52.
Day One selected results
Individual Time Trial Junior women
1.Kiros Kahsay tsige (ETH) 19:59.090
2.Tesfu Adyam (ERI) 20:09.804
3.Yvonne Masengesho (RWA) 20:30.228
4.Gimbato Tamenne Rahel (ETH) 21:00.278
5.Helen Olwange (RSA) 21:01.028
6.Orr Chanel (RSA) 21:13.744
7.Janse Van Vuuren Delsia (NAM) 21:28.964
8.Zerrouki Yousra (ALG) 23:39.000
9.Godwin Osaretin Grace (NIG) 23:45.636
10.Eragae Jepkorir Mercy (KEN) 24:40.454
Individual Time Trial Junior men
1.Hardy Tristan (MU) 17:12.822
2.Nahom Efriem 9ERI) 17:33.341
3.Dean Woolley (RSA) 17:34.030
4.Teklemarian keven (ERI) 17:37.845
5.Moise Ntirenaganya (RWA) 17:56.130
6.Hamzoui Mohamed Amine (ALG) 18:00.393
7.Suren Roger (NAM) 18:06.777
8.Fsaha Welay Samere (ETH) 18:16.263
9.Paul Miro (UGA) 18:19.070
10.Hazioui Salah (ALG) 18:35.490