Kisumu hosted the mixed relay at the 2026 CAC Road Cycling African Championships.
South Africa beat defending champions Mauritius in the 40.8km race, while hosts Kenya finished fifth at the African cycling championships.
South Africa secured mixed relay gold on day two of the 2026 CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Kisumu. Magda Nieuwoudt jokingly credited Kenyan ugali for helping fuel the team’s winning performance.
The winners completed the 40.8-kilometre race in 56:04.38, ahead of defending champions Mauritius, who clocked 56:17.28. Meanwhile, Rwanda secured bronze in 56:30.13, and hosts Kenya finished fifth.
Teamwork delivers mixed relay gold
South Africa’s men established a quick opening pace before the women maintained their advantage to secure victory. Lucy Young said the men’s squad posted the fastest opening time among the competing countries.
Nieuwoudt also praised the local staple, describing ugali as filling and helpful for the riders. Her light-hearted explanation accompanied a performance built on strong coordination between the men’s and women’s squads.
However, Young said the course demanded careful handling because of its many corners and bumps. The riders adapted after learning the turns, allowing them to maintain their momentum.
Rwanda overcomes setback as Kenya finishes fifth
Rwanda reached the podium despite losing a teammate who became unwell during the first lap. Eric Muhoza said the setback left just two riders to continue that part of the race.
Although Rwanda had targeted gold, Muhoza welcomed another podium finish after the difficult effort. The reduced squad made an already demanding race harder for the remaining riders.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Monica Jelimo remained upbeat despite the home team’s fifth-place finish. She praised her teammates’ coordination and said they had given their best throughout the race.
Mauritius and Rwanda shine in opening time trials
The relay followed an opening day of individual time trials featuring victories for Mauritius and Rwanda. Mauritius’ Alexandre Mayer won the men’s elite 30.6km event in 40:32.49.
Eritrea’s Merhawi Kudus followed in 40:42.05, while Uganda’s Charles Kagimu took bronze in 41:06.09. Kagimu said a hotel power outage disrupted his sleep before the race.
He also described dusty roads, loose stones and sharp corners, but refused to let those difficulties derail his performance.
In the women’s elite 20.4km race, Rwanda’s Diane Ingabire won in 31:02.74. She edged Mauritius’ Aurelie Halbwachs by 1.54 seconds, while Young finished third. Kenya’s Dinna Kemonya and Kendra Tabu placed sixth and seventh respectively.
Elsewhere, Eritrea’s Yafiet Mulugeta won the men’s Under-23 title ahead of South Africa’s Joshua Dike and Ryno Schutte. Rwanda also claimed the women’s Under-23 and junior titles through Jazila Mwamikazi and Yvonne Masengesho respectively.
Mauritius added a junior victory through Tristan Hardy, who beat South Africa’s Henro Van Der Walt in the men’s time trial.
