South African speedsters dominate opening day’s Individual Time Trials as Diani hosts Africa

The evening session was all about “Nkosi Sikeleli Africa” as the South African anthem reverberated across Diani as the riders from “Mzansi” won three out of four events in the under-23 and the elite categories for both men and women.

In the elite men’s contest, ‎Brandon Dawnes won the title in 16 minutes, 29.22 seconds followed by compatriot Resenburg Van Janse (16:38.78) and Mauritius’ Henri Mayer (16:49.36) in a tightly-fought contest.

‎‎Despite the victory, Dawnes admitted the coastal conditions had pushed him to the edge.

‎‎“The humidity was a big factor for me today. The course was flat and there was a little bit of wind, but I managed,” he said.

‎‎“On a flat course, the results are really tight, but I’m happy to have come out with the win and wear the jersey for a year.”

‎Kenya’s Evan Kimani was the top home finisher in the elite men’s ITT, clocking 17:46.18 for 10th place, while teammate Peterson Kamau returned 18:41.45 for 15th.

‎“The fans really came out in large numbers to give us support, that has really motivated us,” Kimani said.

‎It was another victory for the squad from Johannesburg in the men’s under-23 race as South Africa’s Joshua Dike (16:45.90) claimed gold ahead of Eritrea’s Mewael Girmay (17:01.01) and Morocco’s Driss El Alouani (17:11.54).

‎‎In the elite women’s ITT, South Africa’s Lucy Young defended the title she won last year at altitude in Eldoret, stopping the clock at 18:34.44 at sea level. ‎

‎Mauritius’ Aurelie Halbwachs followed in 19:13.25, with Rwanda’s Xaveline Nirere sealing third in 19:31.32.

‎‎“It feels incredible to have won. I worked really hard for it because I was the defending champion and I wanted to retain it,” Young said.

“It’s much easier coming down from altitude to race at sea level as my training is based in the high altitude.”

‎Young added that her build-up to the continental showdown was sharp and well-timed.

‎‎“I got on my TT bike a month ago. My training was perfect, I had no injuries, and I just love the journey getting here.”

‎‎She also expressed her fondness for racing in Kenya.

‎‎“I love Kenya. Every time I come here, I’m pleased with the scenery and the people.”

‎‎Kenya’s top finisher in the elite women’s race was Kendra Tabu, who clocked 21:23.27. Nancy Debe placed 14th in 22:44.98.

‎In the under-23 women’s ITT, Algeria’s Nesrine Houili stormed to gold in 19:32.97, followed by Rwanda’s Jazilla Mwamikazi in 19:48.46, with Eritrea’s Araya Chneslasie securing bronze in 20:26.36.

‎In the morning races, in the junior category, Ethiopian Kiros Kahsay Tsige and Hardy Tristan were crowned the champions.

Tsige won the women's race in 19:59.09 ahead of Eritrea's Tesfu Adyam who was second clocking 20:09.80 and Rwanda's Yvonne Masengesho who clocked 20:30.22.

‎In the men's race, Hardy Tristan stopped the clock in 17:12.82 with Eritrea's Efriem Nahom in second place clocking 17:33.34 with South African Woolley Dean in third place clocking 17:34.03.

‎Meanwhile, Masengesho noted that before coming to the continental showpiece, she had tested herself at the UCI World Championship held in Rwanda in September.

‎Kenyan riders Mercy Eragae and Sharon Cheruiyot finished 10th and 12th respectively clocking 24:40.45 and 26:03.49.

‎Eragae, who was making her second appearance at the continental showpiece after her appearance last year in Eldoret, highlighted the difference in climate.

‎In the men's junior race Kenyan Joseph Muiruri and Nicholas Amani finished 24th and 25th respectively clocking 21:56.50 and 22:58.52

Day One Selected results:

‎‎Individual Time Trial (Junior women):

‎‎1. Kiros Kahsay Tsige (ETH) 19:59.090

‎2. Tesfu Adyam (ERI) 20:09.804

‎3. Yvonne Masengesho (RWA) 20:30.228

‎4. Gimbato Tamenne Rahel (ETH) 21:00.278

‎5. Helen Olwange (RSA) 21:01.028

‎6. Orr Chanel (RSA) 21:13.744

‎7. Janse Van Vuuren Delsia (NAM) 21:28.964

‎8. Zerrouki Yousra (ALG) 23:39.000

‎9. Godwin Osaretin Grace (NIG) 23:45.636

‎10. Eragae Jepkorir Mercy (KEN) 24:40.454

‎

‎Individual Time Trial (junior men):

‎‎1. Hardy Tristan (MU) 17:12.822

‎2. Nahom Efriem 9ERI) 17:33.341

‎3. Dean Woolley (RSA) 17:34.030

‎4. Teklemarian keven (ERI) 17:37.845

‎5. Moise Ntirenaganya (RWA) 17:56.130

‎6. Hamzoui Mohamed Amine (ALG) 18:00.393

‎7. Suren Roger (NAM) 18:06.777

‎8. Fsaha Welay Samere (ETH) 18:16.263

‎9. Paul Miro (UGA) 18:19.070

‎10. Hazioui Salah (ALG) 18:35.490

‎

‎Individual Women (under 23):

‎‎1. Houili Nesrine (ALG) 19:32.979

‎2. Mwamikazi Jazilla (RWA) 19:48.469

‎3. Chneslasie Araya Monaliza (ERI) 20:26.367

‎4. Fiseha Suzana (ERI) 20:49.824

‎5. Metoevi Charlotte (BEN) 21:15787

‎6. Miria Nantume 9UGA) 21:34.767

‎7. Houssou Vanette (BEN) 21:35.902

‎8. Njeri Umi Josette (KEN) 22:31.242

‎9. De Araujo Filomena Correa Carla (ANG) 28:17.831

‎10. Hannah Kibet (KEN) 28:25.623

‎‎

‎Individal Time Trial Men (under-23):

‎‎1. Joshua Dike (RSA) 16:45.904

‎2. Mewael Girmay (ERI) 17:01.015

‎3. Driss El Alouani (MAR) 17:11.545

‎4. Abdellah Mimouni (ALG) 17:17.543

‎5. Etienne Tuyizere (RWA) 17:41.815

‎6. Hebron Berhane (ERI) 17:50.497

‎7. Geremedhin Hailemaryam (ETH) 17:54.038

‎8. Tekle Alemayo (ETH) 17:58.328

‎9. Samuel Niyonkuru (RWA) 18:03.222

‎10. Ryno Schutte (RSA) 18:08.244

‎

‎Individual Time Trial (elite men):

‎1. Brandon Downes (RSA) 16:29.226

‎2. Rensburg Van Janse (RSA) 16:38.787

‎3. Alexandre Mayer (MU) 16:49.361

‎4. Shemu Nsengiyumwa (RWA) 16:53.370

‎5. Azzedine Lagab (ALG) 17:20.591

‎6. Merhawi Kudus (ERI) 17:20.966

‎7. Moise Mugisha (RWA) 17:23.393

‎8. Achraf Ed Doghmy (MAR) 17:30.605

‎9. Anass Ait El Abdia (MAR) 17:45.947

‎10. Evan Kimani (KEN) 17:46.183

‎

‎‎Individual Time Trial (elite women):

‎1. Lucy Young (RSA) 18:34.449

‎2. Aurelie Halbwachs (MU) 19:13.256

‎3. Xaveline Nidere (RWA) 19:31.324

‎4. Lucie De Marigny (MU) 19:37.669

‎5. Diane Ingabire (RWA) 19:44.958

‎6. Brhan Abrha (ETH) 19:46.499

‎7. Adiam Mengs (ERI) 20:04.517

‎8. Serkalem Watango (ETH) 20:32.951

‎9. Kendra Tabu (KEN) 21:23.279

‎10. Birikti Fessehaye (ERI) 21:32.798