Riders picked for Africa Mountain Bike race
Unique Sports
By
Elvince Joshua
| Mar 01, 2022
Kenya will send a team of 12 riders, including six ladies to the Africa Mountain Bike Championship in Windhoek, Namibia.
The ladies’ team is composed of Nancy Akinyi, Hanifa Mohamed, Alice Miringu, Mercy Fwande, Jennifer Salome, Asmin Kaviru and Kenya international, Joyce Nyaruri.
Nyaruri, who was ranked fourth in the country before she took a maternity leave, makes a comeback to the sport after being away from about one year.
The men’s squad will be picked from the top-10 finishers at the National Mountain Bike Championship held last week in Narumoru.
They include Kenneth Karaya, Ephantus Gicheru, Evans Wangai, Joseph Kamau, Ndugu Keiya, Boaz Ngisa, Titus Mwangi, Samuel Kagiri, Peter Maina and Brian Kemboi.
According to Kenya Cycling Federation Secretary General, Charles Mose, the men’s team will embark on a month-long training for the continental event set to run from April 24-28.
“The top 10 will be considered for further training. The cyclists have to convince the judges of their time,” said Mose.
The national event attracted over 100 riders - 64 male and 16 ladies (juniors); six ladies and eight men in the senior rank.
Kenya is currently ranked third in Africa in the women’s (Mountain Bike) category.
But before Namibia assignment, Kenya will fight for continental glory at the forthcoming Africa Road Race Championships due in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
This will be a point-earner to the 2024 Paris Olympics and part of the preparation for the Commonwealth Games set for Birmingham, in July.
Egypt’s event that was moved from Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou following a military coup last January, will run from March 22-27.
The riders will be represented in the elite men and women as well as juniors Under 23, according to the federation.
The local series now moves to Mombasa for the individual time trial.