Kenya to host 2024 African road cycling championships

Nairobi, 

Saturday, 28 September, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Kenya had been granted host for the 2024 African Road cycling championships that will take place from October 9th to 13th, 2024 in Eldoret city. 

This will be the first time Kenya will be hosting the sport that is expected to attract more than 20 counties. 

This extravaganza is the continent’s most prestigious cycling event, which will offer Kenya's athletes a platform to compete, promote the cycling culture and showcase the country's capacity to host international events, and boost tourism. It will also serve as vital preparation for upcoming international races.

The Eritrean Tour de France Green Jersey champion Biniam Girmay is among the biggest participants who are expected to lead a strong charge of cyclists from the continent at the event. 

Girmay made history at the Tour de France after becoming the first Black African to win a stage as well as the green jersey for best sprinter.

Kenya will be represented by 42 cyclists led by top cyclist Nancy Akinyi Debe, who will also double up as Team Kenya captain

The event’s course would cover three counties of Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet, with Eldoret City acting as the finishing point.

Speaking during the official launch on Friday, Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen welcomed the event urging Kenyans to turn up in large numbers and support home athletes. 

"As a country renowned for producing world-class athletes, particularly in endurance sports, it is fitting that Kenya was chosen to host the 2024 African Road Cycling Championships.

We warmly welcome cycling enthusiasts from across Africa for this year's edition and ask Kenyans to come out in large numbers to cheer them on." Murkomen said. 

Murkomen further noted that the event will showcase Kenya's ability to host bigger sporting events both on local regional and international events. 

"Our nation has a deep passion for sports, and this event allows us to further showcase our ability to organise major international competitions." The CS noted. 

Murkomen noted that Kenya failed to field a cyclist at the Paris Olympics and this challenged the country to improve on the sport. 

“As we broaden our participation in global sports disciplines. It's important to note that Kenya did not present any cycling to the Paris 2024 Olympics, except for one in Paralympics. This indicates the need for a most strategic focus on developing our cycling talent to compete globally.”

The Time Trials will kick off the action on October 9 with Junior, Under-23 and Elite races for both men and women taking place on the same day.

The Junior women will race one lap of the 11.2km circuit around Eldoret City, while the male juniors and women U23s and Elites tackle the loop twice.

The men’s U23 and elite events will be raced over three laps over a total of 33.8km. The headline events will be raced over the weekend.

The women’s U23 and Elite road races will take place on Saturday, October 12 while the male U23 and elites meet the following day.  

The ladies will battle it out on a challenging 104km parkour starting in Eldoret and finishing in Iten. The men will encounter a similar route, but instead take two tours of the long loop for a total of 157km.

In between the time trials and road races, the ever-exiting Mixed Relay Time Trial will be held on Thursday, October 10 with Friday 11 being the day for the junior road races.