Rwandan cyclists Vainqueur Masengesho and Xaveline Nirere shared the podium with some of the continent’s top riders as Eritrean star Biniam Girmay and Mauritius’ Kim Le Court were crowned African Cyclists of the Year at the 2025 African Cycling Excellence Awards (ACEA) held in Kigali on Saturday, November 29. Organised by Kamz Events Group Ltd in partnership with the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC), the ceremony convened stakeholders of Rwandan and African cycling to celebrate outstanding performers across professional and amateur categories. Rwanda’s Minister of State for Sports Rwego Ngarambe, CAC President Yao Yao Allah-Kouamé, and representatives from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) were among guests who attended the awards ceremony. Girmay, 25, won the Men’s Elite Cyclist of the Year award after a standout season, highlighted by his historic second-place finish in Stage 1 of the Tour de France with Intermarché–Wanty. On the national podium, Masengesho—who rides for Team Benediction—was honoured as Rwanda’s Male Cyclist of the Year. In the women’s category, Kim Le Court of Mauritius, representing AG Insurance–Soudal Team, captured the continental award. She made history in 2024 as the first African woman to wear the Women’s Tour de France yellow jersey for four consecutive days, outshining Ethiopian finalists Kahsay Tsige Kiros and Selam Amha Gerefiel. Nirere, currently competing with Team Amani in Kenya, was recognised as Rwanda’s Female Cyclist of the Year. In the amateur ranks, Burkina Faso’s Paul Daumont secured Amateur Cyclist of the Year, beating out Mali’s Tiémoko Diamouténé and South Africa’s Blaine Kieck. Eritrea’s National Cycling Team was named African Cycling Team of the Year, finishing ahead of Rwanda and Mauritius. The inaugural East Africa regional awards honoured Burundian Odette Nsengiyumva and Ugandan Charles Kagimu as the first ACEA East Africa Female and Male Cyclists of the Year, respectively. With Kigali fresh off hosting the 2025 UCI RoadWorld Championship, CAC President Allah-Kouamé confirmed that the Rwandan capital will also host the second edition of ACEA in 2026 before the awards begin rotating among other African nations.
