South Africa’s Madga Nieuwoudt won the women’s elite road race title at the ongoing 2026 CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Kisumu, Kenya, on Saturday, with Rwandans struggling to make it to the podium in both women’s elite and U23 events.
Nieuwoudt clocked 3 hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds over the 122.2km course to win the race which combined the elite and under-23 (U23) women’s categories.
Her South African compatriots Lisa Bone and Tiffany Keep finished second and third, respectively, with Bone crossing the finish line 5 minutes and 52 seconds behind the winner.
Meanwhile, Diane Ingabire emerged the best performer in the Rwandan roster of the day, finishing fourth. She was trailing 12 minutes and nine seconds behind the winner, as South Africa swept the podium.
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Despite a challenging outing, at least three Rwandan cyclists secured top 10 finishes. Xaverine Nirere placed seventh, while Jazilla Mwamikazi finished ninth.
South Africa’s Mellet Marzaan claimed the women’s U23 road race title after finishing fifth overall while Megan Botha, also from South Africa, took silver. Ethiopia’s Tsige Kiros secured bronze in third place.
Of the 55 riders who started the race, only 18 managed to finish.
The championships conclude on Sunday, October 25, with the men’s U23 and elite road races scheduled to cover 175.2km.
Women’s elite road race results
- Madga Nieuwoudt (South Africa) — 3:48:50
- Lisa Bone (South Africa) — +5:52
- Tiffany Keep (South Africa) — +12:09
- Diane Ingabire (Rwanda) — +12:09