Mayer, Ingabire lead African cycling time-trial winners in Kisumu

Mauritius’ Alexandre Mayer and Rwanda’s Diane Ingabire won the men’s and women’s elite individual time trials as the 2026 Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) Road African Championships opened in Kisumu on Wednesday.

Mayer won the men’s elite 30.6-kilometre race in 40 minutes, 32.493 seconds, finishing ahead of Eritrea’s Merhawi Kudus, who clocked 40:42.056. Uganda’s Charles Kagimu took bronze in 41:06.099.

Ingabire won the women’s elite 20.4km race in 31:02.742, narrowly beating Mauritius’ Aurelie Halbwachs, who finished in 31:04.288. South Africa’s Lucy Young was third in 31:26.124.

Kagimu said difficult conditions at his hotel had disrupted his preparations after a power outage left him without air conditioning, while mosquitoes kept him awake until about 4am.

“The course was a challenge. There was a lot of dust and small rocks on the road and lots of corners too,” Kagimu said, adding that riders had to remain prepared for unexpected challenges.

Kenya’s Dinna Kemonya and Kendra Tabu finished sixth and seventh respectively in the women’s elite race.

Eritrea’s Yafiet Mulugeta won the men’s under-23 30.6km time trial in 41:53.759, ahead of South Africa’s Joshua Dike (42:02.000) and Ryno Schutte (42:40.258).

Rwanda’s Jazila Mwamikazi claimed the women’s under-23 20.4km title in 31:17.581. South Africa’s Marzaan Mellett finished second in 31:45.360, while Ethiopia’s Tsige Kiros was third in 32:03.991. Kenya’s Megan Ivuzu and Hannah Kibet placed 13th and 14th respectively.

Mauritius’ Tristan Hardy won the men’s junior 20.4km time trial in 26:49.027, beating South Africa’s Henro Van Der Walt (26:54.558). Algeria’s Selmane Mansouri finished third in 27:07.327. Kenya’s Frankline Kibet placed 21st in 32:52.783.

Rwanda’s Yvonne Masengesho won the women’s junior 10.2km race in 15:37.193, ahead of Egypt’s Joudy El Sayed (15:40.719) and Ethiopia’s Rahel Gimbato (16:08.730). Kenya’s Sharon Cheruiyot finished 10th, while Linet Akoth was 15th.

The opening-day results highlighted the strength of Mauritius, Rwanda and Eritrea across the elite and development categories as riders from more than 30 African countries compete for continental honours.

The championships run until October 25, with more than 340 cyclists expected to compete in Kisumu.

Selected  Results: Individual Time Trials

Men’s Elite — 30.6km

1. Alexandre Mayer (Mauritius) — 40:32.493

2. Merhawi Kudus (Eritrea) — 40:42.056

3. Charles Kagimu (Uganda) — 41:06.099

Women’s Elite — 20.4km

1. Diane Ingabire (Rwanda) — 31:02.742

2. Aurelie Halbwachs (Mauritius) — 31:04.288

3. Lucy Young (South Africa) — 31:26.124

Men’s Under-23 — 30.6km

1. Yafiet Mulugeta (Eritrea) — 41:53.759

2. Joshua Dike (South Africa) — 42:02.000

3. Ryno Schutte (South Africa) — 42:40.258

Women’s Under-23 — 20.4km

1. Jazila Mwamikazi (Rwanda) — 31:17.581

2. Marzaan Mellett (South Africa) — 31:45.360

3. Tsige Kiros (Ethiopia) — 32:03.991

Men’s Junior — 20.4km

1. Tristan Hardy (Mauritius) — 26:49.027

2. Henro Van Der Walt (South Africa) — 26:54.558

3. Selmane Mansouri (Algeria) — 27:07.327

Women’s Junior — 10.2km

1. Yvonne Masengesho (Rwanda) — 15:37.193

2. Joudy El Sayed (Egypt) — 15:40.719

3. Rahel Gimbato (Ethiopia) — 16:08.730