A squad of 29 Rwandan riders will compete in the African Cycling Championships in Kisumu, Kenya, aiming to improve on last year's performance.
Rwanda's 29 cyclists began their campaign at the African Cycling Championships in Kisumu, Kenya, today, with the individual time trials and junior races commencing the five-day event. The Rwandan team, comprising riders from junior to elite categories, aims to secure medals and surpass their previous year's results. Coach Félix Ssempoma stated that the large selection of riders was a strategic decision to increase their chances of reaching the podium, facing strong competition from South Africa, Eritrea, Algeria, and Morocco.
Defending junior women's champion Akimana Donatha, who has achieved multiple gold medals recently, leads Rwanda's challenge alongside last year's bronze medallist Yvonne Masengesho. In the elite men's category, Moise Mugisha, who placed third last year, heads the experienced Rwandan contingent, while Eritrea's Merhawi Kudus and South Africa's Hayley Preen are defending their elite titles in the men's and women's races, respectively. The championships feature 282 riders from 33 countries across various age categories.
The championships, running from October 21 to 25, include individual time trials, a mixed team relay, and road races. Kisumu's hot lakeside climate poses a potential challenge, particularly for the longer road races, with organizers providing medical support and water stations. Rwanda's participation follows their recent trip to the UCI Road World Championships in Montréal, where their riders gained experience against top international competition.
Why it mattersRwandan cyclists are competing for medals at the African Cycling Championships, aiming to achieve podium finishes.
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