Algeria’s ‘Desert Foxes’ maul opposition with podium sweep, Rwanda also celebrate
- Elias Makori
- Nov 21
- 3 min read
Diani, Friday, November 21, 2025
Algeria’s green, white and red flag was dominant on Friday as the “Desert Foxes” mauled the opposition, sweeping the podium in the Youth Men’s 42-kilometre road race at the 19th CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Diani, Kwale County.
After missing out on the titles in other races staged here so far, Algeria was the surprise winner with podium sweep led by Saad Bechelaghem, who won gold in one hour, five minutes and 18 seconds, followed closely compatriots Abdellah Allal (1:07:00) and Ilyes Ahmed Gagueche sealing the medals.
With no country winning double gold on Friday, Algeria set the record.
In the junior women’s 28-kilometre road race, Rwanda’s Donatha Akimana stormed to victory for her nation’s first title here when she stopped the timer at 44:51.
She was followed by Egyptian Joudy El Sayed (47:05) and Zimbabwe’s Olivia Beamish (50:15).
“I am so happy. The race went really well for me. When I left Rwanda, my target was to come back with gold. When I get home and show the country my gold medal, everyone will be proud. That will be a good feeling,” she said.
Making her debut at a major continental event, the 16-year-old revealed that she felt no pressure and only grew stronger as the kilometres ticked by.
“The kilometres were not many, it was shorter than what I do in training. I normally do 40km. Next year it’s all about doing more races to sharpen myself,” she said.
Mauritius won the Mixed Relay, the second gold for the nation in the opening race, competing in the 28km event.
After completing the 28km, they clocked 35:24.11 after blends power and synergy, with three men and three women taking on the same circuit in a relay format.
The team made up of De Comarmond Aurelien, Mayer Henry Alexandre, Raboude Jeremy, De Marigny lagesse Lucie, Halbwachs Aurelie and Lamusse Raphaelle combined together for the gold.
The men were the first on the romp followed by women on the same 14km loop by sharing the finish line.
Silver medal went Rwanda who stopped the clock at 35:24.42 with Algeria sealing bronze in 36:17.53.
Comarmond said the team arrived in Diani with victory in their mind.
“Coming into this race we wanted to win, but we knew the other countries were super strong.”
“We won by a small gap, so it shows just how tight the competition was. Rwanda was really strong and they had some good cyclists."
At the same time, Rwanda’s Nirere Xaverine said they had lined up fully intent on chasing gold.
“Our plan was to win, but we finished second. Being on the podium is also good for us. We had prepared for a month before coming to the African Championships,” she said.
In the second race, Ethiopian Tsige bagged her second gold medal junior women’s category when she won in stopped the clock at 2:02:58, outsprinting Rwanda’s Yvonne Masengesho and compatriot Kssnet Grmay Gebreslasse, who settled for silver and bronze, respectively.
Her triumph added to Thursday’s masterclass in the Junior Women’s Individual Time Trial (ITT), where she tore through the coastal humidity to clock 19:59.09, beating Eritrea’s Tesfu Adyam (20:09.80) and Rwanda’s Masengesho (20:30.22).
“I had already planned to win gold today. My target was to secure both gold medals. Since yesterday, the weather conditions have been hot and very challenging,” she said.
Both Tsige and Gebreslasse, who train together, are eyeing a broader horizon as they prepare to take their African dominance to European circuits.
Masengesho said that silver was a redemption ride after her bronze in the ITT.
The young Rwandan is already steering her ambitions toward the next continental showdown.
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