Heyley Preen powers to fourth South African gold in Diani showdown
- Elias Makori
- Nov 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Diani, Saturday, November 22, 2025
South Africa bagged their fourth gold medal of the CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Kwale County after a commanding display from Hayley Preen who reigned supreme in the elite women's 107.6-kilometre road race on Saturday afternoon.
Preen stopped the clock in three hours, 10 minutes and 31 seconds, outsprinting Eritrea’s Birikiti Fessehaye who clocked 3:10:34 in a gripping dash to the line.
Rwanda’s Claudette Nyirarukundo sealed the podium in 3:10:49.
Despite her triumphant ride, Preen admitted that the scorching coastal heat turned the race into a true battle of endurance.
“It was a tough race, it was really hot,” she said.
The early fireworks came from Rwanda’s Martha Ntakirutimana, who launched a daring solo attack and held a fierce two-minute lead, forcing the peloton into a tense chase.
But as the kilometres wore on, the punishing conditions caught up with her, and she eventually faded to 21st.
“The Rwandan lady got away and had like a two-minute gap until the last climb,” Preen said.
“We didn’t think we would bring it back, but we pushed to the end and managed to take it. We could see her ahead and could tell she was hurting.”
Preen revealed that the course layout played straight into her hands.
“With the route being very flat in the beginning, I knew it was going to come down to the climb,” she said.
“I just tried to stay relaxed, follow moves, and keep it all for the last climb.”
Her gratitude to her teammates was clear, acknowledging their critical role in controlling the race.
“My South African teammates were really strong.”
Preen thrived on the decisive final ascent.
“I really liked the climb at the end, it worked in my favour.”
The finale, however, turned into a tense sprint duel with Fessehaye.
“The Eritrean had a lot of support at the finish line, so that may have motivated her, but I held on,” she said.
Fresh from winning the African Gravel title in Namibia in August, Preen said she arrived in Diani hungry to complete a rare continental double.
"I wanted the win. I am the current gravel champion, so it’s nice to have the double now.”
She also lauded the electric atmosphere created by the local fans.
“There was great support throughout the course, especially on the last climb to the finish. It was a really great feeling.”
Kenya’s Kendra Tabu was the best-placed local rider, finishing 19th.
Monica Jelimo placed 29th, with Nancy Debe crossing in 32nd.
Jelimo said the Kenyan team took pride in completing the grueling contest.
“The race was tough and hot. We are happy we were able to finish and we did good despite the heat. As Team Kenya, we’re glad we finished with no major incidents.”
Debe noted that while Kenya still trails the continent’s strongest cycling nations, progress is visible.
“We’re happy Kendra was up there with the best. We are not so good, but we are getting there. We’re not too disappointed and also not happy. After this, we’ll sit down as a team and see what we can do next.”
In the women’s Under-23, 107.6km race, Rwanda’s Nyirarukundo struck gold ahead of compatriot Jazilla Mwamikazi and Eritrea’s Suzana Fiseha.
“It was hilly, but I did my best to climb and ride fast. I was expecting to take the gold medal,” she said.
Nyirarukundo added that her strong form was shaped by racing at the UCI World Championships held in Kigali in September.
“I participated at the World Championships, and Rwanda also has a Racing Cup every month, so I used that to prepare for this championship.”
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