Rwanda’s mountain biking team delivered a strong performance at the Grand Prix International VTT Chantal Biya in Cameroon, winning three medals, including a gold and silver in the women’s professional category.
Ntakirutimana Martha won the women’s professional race, while compatriot Iragena Charlotte finished second. Bukhari Banzi added a bronze medal in the men’s professional category.
The international mountain bike race was held on Saturday over an 11.3-kilometre course in Bagofit, Cameroon. It was the third edition of the competition named after Chantal Biya, the First Lady of Cameroon.
In the men’s professional category, which featured 24 riders, Banzi finished third behind Moroccan rider Ibrahim Essabahy, who won the race, and Dutch cyclist Jurre Van Derpelt, who took second.
In the women’s professional race, 12 riders competed for the title, with Ntakirutimana taking first place in 53 minutes and 29 seconds.
Iragena Charlotte, 20, finished second, crossing the finish line four minutes and nine seconds behind her compatriot.
Cameroonian rider Mafoma Rita completed the podium in third place, finishing 10 minutes and four seconds behind Ntakirutimana.
The three medals underline Rwanda’s growing presence in mountain biking competitions on the African cycling scene.
