Tough test for Kenya on day one as ARC championships start in Eldoret

The opening day of the 2024 CAC Africa Road Cycling Championships delivered electrifying time trial performances, with the intense pace proving too much for Kenya's cyclists.

In the Women's Elite race, seasoned rider Tabu Masiga Kendra placed 6th ahead of team captain Nancy Akinyi, who finished 7th. Both are set to lead Kenya's charge in tomorrow's mixed relay.

“It was a tough opening day, but we are hoping to do well tomorrow.

Most of us struggled with time cos we are competing at this level for the first time but we should be fine as the tournament wears on.”

Veteran cyclist David Kinjah expressed his excitement at seeing such a prestigious event hosted in Kenya.

"We are very excited to have a tournament of this magnitude opening in our country.

In the Junior Men’s race, Eritrea's Keven Teklemariam dominated the 22.5km course with a time of 14:18.8, followed closely by South Africa's Alexander Erasmus. Kenya’s Billy Mbolo Mangwana finished 14th.

Other results showed Peter Kamau finishing 9th in the Men’s Under-23 race, which Uganda's Paul Lomuria won.