South Africa’s Callum Ormiston became African men’s road race champion in Kisumu, Kenya, on Sunday after breaking away in the closing stages to beat Morocco’s Dries El Alouani, while Eritrea’s Hebron Berhane took bronze.
Ormiston held on to win the 154km race by 20 seconds, rewarding South Africa’s aggressive approach in the final event of the 2026 CAC African Road Cycling Championships.
El Alouani secured silver for Morocco, while Berhane finished third for Eritrea after his team had worked hard to control the race and set up attacks on the decisive climb.
Uganda’s Charles Kagimu finished fourth, ahead of Senegal’s Nerya Mounier, who won the under-23 title. Rwanda’s Shemu Niyonkuru and Samuel Niyonkourou finished seventh and eighth respectively, while defending champion Merhawi Kudus of Eritrea came home sixth.
Ormiston said the title meant a great deal to him after a difficult journey in professional cycling.
“It means everything to me. It’s definitely a title I’ve always had my eye on. I can’t believe it,” he said after crossing the finish line.
The South African said he had planned to make his move on the climb, aware that Eritrea had the numbers to control the race.
“I wanted to get to the climb because that’s where my strengths are. I knew it wouldn’t be easy with Eritrea there. They had the numbers,” he said.
“I dug in and waited for my opportunity and I took it. I couldn’t believe I got away.”
South Africa had been active from the opening stages, sending riders up the road and repeatedly putting pressure on their rivals. The climb at Kiboswa proved decisive, with the key move coming over the top and into the descent.
Eritrea had looked well placed after controlling much of the race, but could not convert its numerical advantage into the gold medal. Berhane had to settle for bronze, while Kudus, the defending champion, finished sixth.
Morocco, meanwhile, celebrated its first medal of the championships through El Alouani, who stayed in contention before Ormiston opened a decisive gap in the closing kilometres.
For Uganda, Kagimu’s fourth place was a strong result, although he appeared frustrated after missing the podium.
Rwanda had two riders in the top eight, with Niyonkuru finishing ahead of teammate Niyonkourou.
Meanwhile, it was history in the making in the under-23 classification, Mounier of Senegal claimed gold after an impressive ride on the climb. His victory marked a significant achievement for Senegal, which also celebrated a breakthrough in the event through the young rider’s performance.
The championships brought together riders from across the continent in Kisumu, with South Africa finishing the road race events on a high after also sweeping the medals in the women’s elite road race.
The five-day competition concluded on Sunday, 25 October, with the men’s road race providing a dramatic finish in front of large crowds in the Kenyan lakeside city.
Other Results:
South Africa swept the podium in the women’s elite road race, with Magda Nieuwoudt winning the continental title after completing the 122.3km course in 3:28:50.
Her compatriots Lisa Bone and Tiffany Keep finished second and third respectively. Bone crossed the line 5 minutes 52 seconds behind the winner, while Keep finished 12 minutes and nine seconds back.
Rwanda’s Diane Ingabire narrowly missed the podium; finishing fourth with the same recorded time gap as bronze medallist keep, at 12:09.
Women’s Under-23 Road Race
South Africa also claimed gold and silver in the women’s under-23 road race through Marzaan Mellett and Megan Botha, respectively. Ethiopia’s Tsige Kiros took bronze.
Men’s Under-23 Road Race
Eritrea’s Awet Aman won the men’s under-23 title, adding to his silver medal in the elite race.
South Africa’s Joshua Ethan Dike finished second, while compatriot Ryno Schutte took third place.
Women’s Under-23 Road Race
Gold / U23 Champion: Marzaan Mellett (South Africa)
