Rwanda's Ingabire, Nirere in race for African women cyclist of the year

Rwandan cyclists Diane Ingabire and Xaverine Nirere are among 18 nominees vying for the Best African Cyclist of the year in women’s elite category at the inaugural African Cycling Excellence Awards (ACEA) scheduled for November 28-29 at Zaria Courts in Kigali. Ingabire currently plies her trade at German UCI Women's Continental Team Canyon–SRAM while Nirere plays for Kenya’s Team Amani which recently became first African UCI Continental team. They will be contesting for the top prize for alongside 16 others where Ethiopia leads the chasing pack with four cyclists namely Asgodom Hadush Merhawit, Gerefiel Selam Amha, Kiros Kahsay Tsige, and Watango Taye Serkalem. Other nominees include Aleper Mary from Uganda, Grove Sannara, Keep Tiffany, and Moolman Pasio Ashleigh from South Africa; and Houili Nesrine from Algeria. Le Court Kim and De Marigny-Lagesse Lucie represent Mauritius, while Metoevi Charlotte represents Benin. Odette Nsengiyumva is nominated from Burundi, and Burkina Faso is represented by Zoungrana Lamoussa and Bamogo Awa. Ingabire and Nirere were part of the Rwandan contingent that participated in the 2025 UCI World Championships that took place in Kigali in September. In total, 17 Rwandan riders were nominated for the awards which aims to recognize Africa’s finest cycling talents of the year across both professional and amateur categories. ALSO READ: Kigali to host African Cycling Excellence Awards until 2026 Patrick Byukusenge, Eric Manizabayo, Vainqueur Masengesho, Moise Mugisha, Shemu Nsengiyumva, Moise Ntirenganya, Kevin Nshutiraguma, Samuel Niyonkuru, and Eric Nkundabera will be contending for the Best Rwandan cyclist of the year in men’s category while, for the best Rwandan women’s elite category pits Xaverine Nirere against Diane Ingabire, Violette Ineza Irakoze, Liliane Uwiringiyimana, Jazilla Mwamikazi, Martha Ntakirutimana, Claudette Nyirarukundo, and Yvonne Masengesho. Eritrea, Algeria lead race for African Male Cyclist gong Other award categories to be presented include the Best African Male Cyclist award, which features 21 riders. Six Eritrean cyclists appear in this category led by Binian Girmay, former Tour du Rwanda winners Henok Mulubrhan (2023) and Natnael Tesfazion (2020 & 2022); Nahom Zeray, Dawit Yemane, and Milkiyas Naekele. ALSO READ: Louvet unveils Rwanda squad for CAC African Championships Algeria also presents six riders namely Hamza Amari, Nadjib Assal, Yacine Hamza, Azzedine Lagab, Islam Mansouri, and Youssef Reguigui. Other contenders in the running include Stefan Bodde from South Africa, Aurelier De Commarmond from Mauritius, Driss El Alami from Morocco, and Cameroon’s Clovis Kamzong and Boris Michel. ALSO READ: Rwanda, UCI in talks to host World Tour race in 2027 Nine countries will compete in the National Teams category. Nadjib Assab will represent Algeria, while Rassid Bouda and Moucail Rawenda will represent Burkina Faso. Ivory Coast will be represented by Isiaka Cisse and Emmanuel Ande Kouadio. Rwanda will field Vainqueur Masengesho and Moise Mugisha, while Eritrea will be represented by Mulubrhan, Zeray, and Amanuel. Ethiopia enters the competition with Tsige Kiros and Fikadu Brhan. Mali has four representatives in Yaya Diallo, Tiemoko Diamoutene, Tiemoko Diallo, and Siriki Diarra while Mauritius team will include Kim Le Court, Alexandre Mayer, and Lucie De Marigny-Lagesse.

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Rwanda's Ingabire, Nirere in race for African women cyclist of the year