Mulueberhan Triumphs in Elite Men’s Road Race, Kenyans break into Top 30

Eritrea’s Henok Mulueberhan extended his dominance in African cycling by claiming his third consecutive men's title at the 2024 Africa Road Cycling Championships  on Sunday.

The grueling 158km race from Eldoret to Iten saw Mulueberhan cross the finish line in 3 hours, 46 minutes, and 21 seconds.

Despite the absence of his compatriot, Tour de France stage winner Biniam Girmay, Mulueberhan made a decisive break in the final kilometre.

His perfectly timed attack allowed him to surge ahead of the peloton, securing a dramatic victory and cementing his status as one of the continent’s premier cyclists.

Uganda’s Charles Kagimu claimed a well-deserved bronze medal, finishing third behind South Africa’s Emile Van Niekerk, who took silver.

Kagimu, who trains in Iten, showcased his strength and resilience, remaining with the lead pack throughout the race.

Kenya’s Ephantus Warutere Gicheru showed impressive form, finishing 27th, just 55 seconds behind the race leader.

Edwin Ndung'u followed closely in 29th, trailing by 1 minute and 8 seconds. Both riders demonstrated the growing strength of Kenyan cycling on the continental stage.

The race also featured strong performances from several Under-23 competitors. Eritrea’s Milkiyas Maekele secured 6th place, while Rwanda’s Eric Muhoza finished 7th, signaling the rise of emerging talent in African cycling.

UCI President Lappartient Praises Organisation

UCI President David Lappartient, who attended the event, lauded the organization behind the championships. "The 2024 African Road Cycling Championships have set a new standard for the sport on the continent.

“Kenya’s commitment to hosting this event is commendable, and it’s clear that African cycling is on a remarkable upward trajectory," said Lappartient.

Kenya Cycling Federation Reflects on Performance

Following Kenya's performance, Kenya Cycling Federation CEO Kelvin Mwangi acknowledged the need for improvement.

"We will be going back to the drawing board after this outing. Our riders showed great determination, but we need to re-evaluate our strategies if we are to compete with the best in Africa and beyond. This is a learning moment for us," Mwangi stated.

DNFs (Did Not Finish)

Out of the 94 riders who began the race, 24 did not finish, including Kenya’s Cornelius Kemboi and Kipruto Ivan Malakwen.