Ethiopian Kiros Kahsay Tsige wins the junior women's road race/ TEDDY MULEI Ethiopia’s Kiros Kahsay Tsige tightened her hold on the junior women’s field at the CAC Road Cycling African Championships, securing a second gold medal with a poised and powerful victory in the 64.5km road race on Friday in Diani, Kwale County.
Tsige crossed the line in 2:02:58, outpacing Rwanda’s Yvonne Masengesho and compatriot Kssnet Grmay Gebreslasse, who claimed silver and bronze.
The win followed her authoritative performance in Thursday’s Junior Women’s Individual Time Trial, where she conquered the coastal humidity to post 19:59.09, ahead of Eritrea’s Tesfu Adyam (20:09.80) and Masengesho (20:30.22).
Completing the double, Tsige said, had been part of her plan from the outset. “I had already planned to win gold today. My target was to secure both gold medals,” she said.
She acknowledged the oppressive conditions riders have faced. “Since yesterday, the weather conditions have been hot and very challenging,” she said. “Today the weather was a bit more windy.”
Her build-up, she added, was no less demanding.
“I have been training hard in Ethiopia for this race,” she noted.
Tsige and Gebreslasse, who train together, are now eyeing Europe as the next step in their careers.
“I have joined a club in Spain and I am hoping to expand my resume in cycling,” Tsige said. “I train with Gebreslasse, so we have been pushing each other. I hope she can also get a team in Europe so she can continue her success.”
For Masengesho, Friday’s silver served as redemption after her ITT bronze.
“I am very excited and happy to have won my second medal at these championships,” she said. “I was so lucky to be part of the World Championships in Rwanda. After that, the government and federation were instrumental in preparing us for the African Championships.”
The young Rwandan has already set her sights on the next continental event. “My target is to win gold at the next African Championships,” she said.
