Source: Eritrean Foreign Ministry
Eritrea has once again asserted its dominance as Africa’s premier cycling nation, delivering a stunning performance at the African Cycling Championship in Kenya. The team secured a remarkable haul of 10 medals, reaffirming its long-standing reputation on the continental stage.
Organized by the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC), the four-day event brought together over 300 riders from 30 nations. Yet, it was the Eritrean squad that consistently stole the spotlight. The highlight was Merhawi Kudus, the celebrated Olympian, who demonstrated exceptional endurance and strategic mastery to claim gold in the demanding Men’s Elite Road Race. His victory sparked jubilant celebrations, with teammates lifting him shoulder-high in a powerful symbol of national pride.
The success was widespread. Rising star Awet Aman seized gold in the Under-23 men category, while Natan Medhanie secured another top podium finish in the junior ranks. Eritrea’s women also made their mark: Adiam Tesfu earned silver in the Women’s Junior Time Trial, and Birikti Fesehaye claimed silver in the Women’s Road Race. Further underscoring the team’s depth, Monaliza Araya and Suzana Fesehaye both secured bronze medals in the Under 23 category.
Cycling is more than just a sport in Eritrea; it is a profound part of the national culture, with the capital city of Asmara often called the “cycling capital of Africa.” Local races became a popular pastime, laying the essential groundwork for Eritrea’s competitive spirit and consistently producing generations of world-class riders who now shine internationally.
Eritrea began making its mark in the African Continental Cycling Championships in the early 2000s. Since 2011, Eritrean riders have consistently won medals, especially in road races and time trials, solidifying the nation’s position as a dominant cycling giant in Africa.
Eritrea has dominated the African Continental Cycling Championships over the last decade and a half. Of the 13 continental races organized by the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) and held between 2011 and 2025, Eritrea won 10 events, with the remaining 3 championships won by South Africa.
Eritrea’s story in African cycling is a continuous narrative of dominance, resilience, and generational excellence. The nation’s history of notable achievements began on home soil:
- The 2011 African Continental Cycling event, hosted in Eritrea, saw its riders sweep several titles, immediately cementing their home advantage and launching a decade-plus of supremacy.
- Natnael Berhane became the champion consecutively in 2011 and 2012.
- In 2013 and 2016, another Eritrean, Tesfom Okbamichael, won the medal of championship.
- Eritrea repeatedly topped the medal tables at the African championships in 2018 and 2019, with Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier and Mekseb Debesay, respectively.
- From 2022 to 2024, Henok Mulubrhan became the uncontested champion of Africa with strong performances.
Merhawi Kudus’s recent triumph is the latest chapter in this long lineage of Eritrean cycling champions who have carved out a legacy across Africa and beyond. His victory is not just personal; it’s symbolic of Eritrea’s tradition of excellence in cycling. He is carrying forward the national pride and tradition established by his predecessors. The victory of Merhawi Kudus serves as a reminder that Eritrea’s cycling story is a continuous narrative of dominance, resilience, and, most uniquely, a generational one. Eritrea’s place at the top of African cycling is a tradition, a culture, and a legacy that continues to grow.
Apart from continental competitions, Eritrean cyclists have profoundly impacted global events, transforming races like the Tour de France into stages of African pride and achievement.
The most notable recent success belongs to Biniam Girmay, who in 2024 became the first Black African rider to win a stage in the Tour de France. His performance was historic: Biniam successfully won three individual stages and secured the Green Jersey (points classification), marking Eritrea’s most significant achievement in global cycling. Bini described his victory as “a win for all Africans,” emphasizing the symbolic importance of Eritrea’s success on the world stage.
This success built upon the groundbreaking moment established earlier by Daniel Teklehaimanot, who in 2015, became the first Eritrean to ride in the Tour de France and famously wore the King of the Mountains polka-dot jersey.
Eritrean cyclists have become symbols of African pride by breaking barriers and reshaping perceptions of African athletes in global cycling. Their victories are not only personal and national milestones but also milestones for the entire African continent.
Becoming the Champion of Africa in cycling carries a profound meaning for Eritrea, extending far beyond the medals and trophies. The victory is a powerful declaration of identity, pride, and resilience, serving as a critical source of national unity.
Each championship win places Eritrea on the map as a sporting powerhouse in both continental and international arenas, significantly boosting the nation’s global recognition. Also, sporting success strengthens Eritrea’s international image, offering a positive narrative of achievement and unity. It shows that Eritrea contributes robustly to Africa’s sporting excellence, positioning the nation as a leader in continental athletics.
More importantly, these triumphs inspire the youth generation. Young Eritreans see their heroes wearing the continental crown and believe they, too, can rise to greatness. In Eritrea, grassroots cycling programs gain momentum after each victory, ensuring a strong pipeline of talent for future championships.
Each championship win also cemented Eritrea’s sports culture. Today, cycling is not just a sport; it has become a part of daily life. Success in African championships positions Eritrea as a continental leader, projecting strength and competence.
Success in African championships is a mirror of national spirit. It shows that Eritrea can excel in global arenas, building confidence in its people and respect from other nations.
The victory demonstrates Eritrea’s ability to compete and dominate in a highly demanding sport. It signals that Eritrea can excel in areas requiring discipline, organization, and endurance.
Eritrea’s cycling victories are not only sporting milestones but also instruments of nation-building. They project discipline, endurance, and unity—qualities essential for development. Each triumph signals that Eritrea is a nation capable of excelling in demanding arenas.
For Eritrea, becoming the Champion of Africa in cycling is more than a trophy. Each victory is a reminder that Eritrea’s story is one of resilience, triumph, and dominance on the roads of Africa. The triumph is not only a sporting achievement; it is a declaration of identity, a projection of strength, and a promise of resilience, reminding the world that Eritrea’s story is about the endurance of a nation building itself with pride, unity, and vision.
