AFRICA ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS: MAURITIUS COMMAND LEAD IN MIXED RELAY

AFRICA ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS: MAURITIUS COMMAND LEAD IN MIXED RELAY

In a distance of 24km over 2 laps in the Mixed Relay at the ongoing CAC Africa Road Championships, Mauritius once again commanded the lead in a time of 1hr: 03: 45 to win the Gold medal.

Rougier Lagane, Christopher, Alexandre Mayer and Gregory Mayer stood in for the Men’s Team with Kimberly Le Court De Billot , Halbwachs Aurelie Marie and Lamusse Rahaelle offering the needed feminine support to make up the time.

Rwanda placed second in 1hr: 05: 19 creating a combined synergy on the road with their female counterparts in graceful style. It was obvious the presence of Muhoza Eric, Tuyizere Etienne and Niyonkuru Samuel was just enough to make up the required time. Female support in the likes of Diane Ingabire, Nzayisenga Valentine and Nirere Xaverine was very effective and offered the needed complement for the East African side.

West African powerhouse, Burkina Faso sprang to an admirable third finish placement, clocking a time of 1:09:17. Nikiema Bachirou was very impressive especially in the closing stages of the lap,closely calling up ilboudo Issofu and Mouni Vincent to follow suit. The female assemblage of Bamogo Awa, Lamossa Zongorra and Dambinga Pascaline offered the requisite chase which eventually aided the time build up for the west African nation.

Crowd favourites Algeria sank in fourth spot registering a time of 1:10:29 to place fourth. Islam Mansouri, Hamza Manzouri and Abderahmane Mansouri did their best and were supported by the female prowess trio of Nesrine Houli , Yasmine El Meddah and Khadija Araoui.

In the Youth Men over 24km in 2 laps, Mauritius again won Gold in 34,12 Algeria winning silver in 36,00 and debutants Ghana winning the Bronze in 41,52.

It was an elated atmosphere to see the homeside drawing committed inspiration from Abdul Nasar, Mohammed Farrakhan, Pious Mensah and Alfred Quaye to wear the Bronze medal. Ghana has written history and this will be a lasting memory for years to come.

The Youth Women had West African giants, Nigeria drawing daggers in 12km in a lap to win Gold in a time of 20,21, Algeria coming second in 20,39 with Ghana yet again placing third in 27,52 to win Bronze.

Ghana has thus won two Bronze medals in this Championships and is relishing more in subsequent events.

The 19th Edition of the ongoing Africa Road Championships is getting hotter and interesting.

Tomorrow, 11/02/2023 will see a heated distance of 90km and 60km respectively for the Men and Women’s Junior Road Race with 26 riders in action for the men and 10 riders for the women.

Dennis Kweku Moore
Cycling Reporter Public Relations-Ghana Cycling Federation

Email: moorecycling67@gmail.com