Africa Rising Cycling Podcast
Africa Rising Cycling is a non-profit that has been operating across the African continent for 20 years. The podcast covers the big stories in African cycling, including the first World Championships on African soil in September 2025 and over 140 African men and women racing internationally. It features interviews with big names and rising stars, sharing the stories that matter about African cycling. For more info, visit teamafricarising.org.
Episodes
World Champs Review & Other Big African Cycling Stories
In this episode, Africa Rising Cycling's CEO Kimberly Coats and our podcast host Jeremy discuss some of the latest and breaking news stories in African cycling right now. These include:- Key African performances at the 2026 UCI Cycling World Championships in Montreal.- Visa issues, defections and other breaking news around this event.- Team news: The Amani Men's Continental Team (Rwanda) i
Unstoppable! Goma's Miguel Masaisai is riding 14,000km To Promote Peace in DRC!
"Pedals for Peace" is an extraordinary solo cycling initiative started by Miguel Masaisai, a 25-year-old Congolese triathlete and cyclist from the conflict-torn city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Masaisai uses the bicycle as a peaceful weapon to protest decades of violent conflict in the eastern DRC, raise awareness about its devastating impact on youth, and show the
Meet Willie Smit - South Africa's World (Tour) traveller!
Thirty-three year old Willie Smit is one of Africa's most ever-present professional cyclists over the last 15 years. He has raced at UCI World Tour, Pro Continental and Continental level across Europe, Africa and Asia.Willie shares his entry into the sport, his heroes and motivation, his highlights and recent DQ story, and his hints and tips for younger riders in a highly entertaining chat, al
The Adrien Niyonshuti Story: London 2012, Rising From Ashes and His Current Project
Anyone who knows a little about African cycling knows the name Adrien Niyonshuti. The inspirational Rwandan who survived a genocide, found a purpose riding and racing bicycles, made history by qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics, had a brilliant career in the World Tour, and is now a highly successful coach to young African and international riders.Fourteen years after the London 2012 Olympics
Tshenolo - Africa's Newest Women's Pro Cycling Team & Tour du Burundi Preview
The Tshenolo Women's Pro Cycling Team is a new African women's team, African-owned, and based in South Africa. The team is considering moving to the UCI Continental level for 2027, however for now is racing across South Africa and all relevant African races. We caught up with the team's Sport Director, Durwan Benjamin, and Lucy Young, one of their top riders, to talk about the team, th
Meet Senegal's New National Champion: Neriah Meunier Sow!
We always are looking for stories to tell about Junior or U23 African riders as they represent the future of cycling on the continent. Our latest podcast features 21-year-old Neriah Meunier Sow, the new National Champion of Senegal!Neriah currently races for the Surne Bilbao Cycling Team in Spain as part of an international 20-rider squad of U23 athletes. He took Senegalese citizenship in 2025, wi
Kim Le Court Pienaar Talks Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2026!
With just four days to go to the start of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, we joined the official AG Insurance Soudal press conference, to hear from Mauritius' Kim Le Court Pienaar about her preparations for this year's race.Despite her big crash and wrist injury earlier in 2026, her recent performance at the women's Tour du Suisse shows she is in great form. Hear her thought
Qhubeka Day at the Tour de France!
Saturday 18 July was "Qhubeka Day" at the Tour de France. The stage and the whole day is dedicated to the South African charity which manufactures new African-designed bicycles and distributes them to schoolchildren in the poorest areas of the country. This hugely reduces the time it usually takes them to walk to and from school, improving attendance and results, as well as significantly
Namibia's Toughest Road Race Returns: Check out Next Month's Pupkewitz Megabuild Tour de Windhoek!
On this week's episode, we spoke with Gerhard Breed, the President of Windhoek Pedal Power, and the Race Organiser of the 2026 Pupkewitz Megabuild Tour de Windhoek - powered by Pupkewitz Motors! This race is Namibia's premier multi-stage cycling event, showcasing the breath-taking landscapes of the country across five thrilling stages, and is one of southern Africa's top races.Particip
Race To the Sky! 17yo Jonathan Muhawenimana takes on the iconic Mt. Blue Sky Hill Climb!
On 29 March 2026, 17-year-old Jonathan Muhawenimana won the Rwandan Junior MTB XCO National Championships. This was a great win for a rising young Rwandan cycling star.Jonathan is the son of Rafiki Uwimana, who, alongside Adrien Niyonshuti, was one of the founding riders of Team Rwanda 20 years ago. Jonathan is currently in the USA on a training and racing program, and we would like to give a shou
Its National Champs time! Our review of all the action
Per UCI rule 1.2.029: "National road championships shall be organised during the last full week of the month of June" and over the last few days, we have seen 12 African nations organise their National road championships, including Eritrea, Algeria, Mauritius alongside relatively new countries like Kenya and Eswatini. South Africa and Namibia held theirs in February.On the podcast today,
Operating in the heart of the DRC - Meet Goma Cycling Club
Over a decade ago in the DRC, Charles-Guy Makongo already had his hands full helping the country's most vulnerable people access justice and avoid violence in his day job working there as Country Director for the American Bar Association. However, in his free time, after meeting them when out for a bike ride, he took some 30 teenage cyclists under his wing and created the Goma Cycling Club.Fas
Season 2: Creating a Cycling Culture in Africa: Meet Village Bicycle Project
As the first episode of our new season, this discussion could not be further from recent podcasts talking about African professional cycling, however, as we will discuss, they are still linked, all through the bicycle.In this episode, we are talking real grass-roots cycling. We are joined by Joshua Poppel, the Executive Director of the Village Bicycle Project (VBP) non-profit. VBP has been operati
Meet Madar Pro Cycling - Africa's #1 Men's UCI Continental Team
This week, we sat down with Dahmane Abdesslam, the Principal of the Madar Pro Cycling Team. Madar are African-owned and registered in Algeria, and have had a nix of Algerian, African and international riders on their roster., since launching as a UCI team just two years ago. Their ProCyclingStats bio can give you more infomation.Algerian star riders like Azzedine Lagab and Youcef Reguigui have bee
Racing Recap: We take a look at how African riders and races are doing (so far!)
As we enter June, we thought it a good time to do a quick recap on some of the big headlines in African road cycling so far, and some things to watch out for in June:We take a look at the men's and women's UCI league tables for the 2026 season so far. Eritrea dominates the men's rankings taking the 1-5 spots, and kudos to Eritrean Natnael Tesfatsion (Movistar) for topping the men's
Truly Africa's Team: The Amazing Work of Team BIKE AID
In this episode, we sat down with Matthias Schnapka, the owner of Team BIKE AID, one of the most prolific supporters of young African professional cyclists in history.BIKE AID is a German professional cycling team founded in 2005 as a non-profit association, and based on a unique cycling community of over 1,200 supporters. BIKE AID stands for enjoying cycling, nature and social commitment.Matthias
Merhawi Kudus - A True Pioneer of African Professional Cycling
We are most excited to share this podcast today!Merhawi "Mera" Kudus is truly one of the pioneers of African professional cycling. After excelling for the UCI World Cycling Center, he joined the MTN Qhubeka Team in 2014 alongside some of the big names in African cycling: Louis Meintjes, Adrien Niyonshuti, Tsgabu Grmay, Daniel Teklehaimanot and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg.The success of t
Alexandre Mayer - Meet Mauritius' Top Male Rider
In our latest podcast, we sat down with Alexandre Mayer, the leading male cyclist from the island of Mauritius. The 28-year-old rider is in his second year at the Pro Continental level with the Burgos Burpellet BH team, alongside Merhawi Kudus. Alex took the 'Best African' jersey at the 2.2 Tour du Benin and when we spoke he was next heading to Azerbaijan for the 2.1 Baku Khankendi Cycling
Introducing Salami Avocetien - The 21yo Rising Star of African Cycling Development
In this episode, Kim and Jeremy on our team sat down with Salami Avocetien of the Benin Cycling Federation. At just 21 years old, he speaks French, English, four local languages, has his UCI Level 2 Coaching Qualification (Level 3 will be achieved in one month), made his debut as a DS (Directeur Sportif) at Tour du Benin - accompanied by our CEO Kimberly Coats - for the Benin National Team , heads
Rogora! Rogora! Ethiopia's Kiya Rogora Shares His Plans For The New JR Pro Cycling Team (Ethiopia)
Two week's ago we featured the father-son Uwimana cycling dynasty in Rwanda, and we now move our focus 3000km to Dire Dawa in eastern Ethiopia, home of the famous Rogora cycling family!On this edition of the Africa Rising Cycling Podcast, we talked to 22-year-old Kiya Rogora, a professional cyclist who has already raced around the world for pro teams and for Ethiopia.Kiya recently launched an
Its Time For West Africa's Biggest Race: The Tour du Bénin!
This weekend, teams from around Africa, Europe and Asia will arrive in Cotonou, on the Atlantic shore of Benin, in the heart of West Africa, for the UCI 2.2 Tour du Bénin!We sat down with race organiser, President of Bénin Cycling, famous artist and passionate cycling advocate, Romuald Hazoumé, to talk all things Tour du Bénin. He is one of Africa's leading cycling voices at the national Feder
An African Star Rises: Meet 2026 Rwandan Junior MTB XCO Jonathan Uwimana!
On 29 March 2026, 17-year-old Muhawenimana Rafiki Jonathan won the Rwandan Junior MTB XCO National Championships. This was a great win for this rising young Rwandan star.However, this journey began twenty years ago, three years before he was born, when his father, the famous Rafiki 'Kiki' Uwimana* joined Adrien Niyonshuti, coach Jonathan 'Jock' Boyer and the original members of the
Meet Louis Meintjes - Africa's Most Present Grand Tour Rider
As a soft spoken, 58kg, diminutive South African, Louis Meintjes has not spent a huge amount of time in the media's eye, preferring his riding and results do the talking. However he is a rider to whom all aspiring World Tour riders from Africa - and around the world - should pay attention. He has ridden in 20 Grand Tours, including 7 editions of the Tour de France, which is more than any other
Meet Jean-Pierre van Zyl: Developing African Cyclists For Over Twenty Years
In this episode, we had an in-depth chat with Jean-Pierre van Zyl, the Director of the UCI's World Cycling Centre programme in Africa. He is based at the excellent WCC facility in Paarl, South Africa.JP often avoids the limelight, but has quietly been working with Africa's leading athletes for over two decades. From the big guns like Biniam Girmay and Kim Le Court Pienaar, to the new crop
Meet CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation: Home of Ethiopia's Tsige Kahsay Kiros and Eritrea's Monalisa Araya
The CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation women's professional team has been supporting African female rising talent for several years. In 2026, they have signed two of Africa's most exciting young prospects: Ethiopia's Tsige Kahsay Kiros, and Eritrea's Monalisa Araya. Ahead of this duo from Easy Africa making their debut together on 21 March, we caught up with Beth Durea, a co-owner
Handmade Bicycles From Deep in Africa: Meet Dan Craven and his Onguza Bicycle Company
Whilst we were on a trip to Namibia to discuss the creation of a new Virtual Performance Center there for youth development, we took some time to drop in one of Africa's pioneers in professional cycling: Dan "From Nam" Craven.Since retiring from professional cycling around the world, Dan established Onguza Bicycles, a unique handmade, custom steel bicycle manufacturing company in the
Africa's Queen of the Road: Meet Kim Le Court Pienaar
In 2025, Kim Le Court Pienaar arrived in world cycling!In one incredible season she became Africa's most successful professional cyclist, winning one of the celebrated 'Monuments' and holding the 'maillot jaune' of the Tour de France longer than any other African rider in history, at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.Kim rides for the AG Insurance - Soudal Team and is passio
"Africa Is Not Just Rising, It's Risen!" Meet The Commentators!
For this episode of the Africa Rising Cycling Podcast, we wanted to hear the thoughts of some of the most knowledgeable people in the cycling world - the race commentators!We are proud to be joined by three of the finest, and folk with whom we have worked on many Africa related projects: Phil Liggett MBE, Hannah Walker, and Anthony McCrossan.Phil, Hannah and Anthony talk about witnessing the heroi
Scrape Those Tires! We meet Jamie Bissell, the most travelled and trusted mechanic in African cycling!
Many folk will not know the name Jamie Bissell. He avoids social media and the spotlight, however he is one of the most vital cogs in the success of African cycling for nearly 15 years!Hailing from California, Jamie is an elite UCI mechanic and we talk through his journey (so far!) in African cycling, which started when his mother shared the now legendaryPhilip Gourevitch’s 2011 New Yorker article
Race Preview: Tour du Rwanda 2026
With the 2026 Tour du Rwanda starting on Sunday, Jeremy and Kim take a deep dive into the key facts, riders and data points for the 18th edition of the race! (Very much fuelled by ProCyclingStats data!) We look at the dominance of Eritrea in this race since its elevation to the UCI 2.1 level, with race winners like Henok Mulubrhan and Merhawi Kudus there to make it count. Alongside them, young tal
"Dream bigger than what you believe" - Meet the UCI World Cycling Center Team
In our latest episode, we are joined by two very important actors in the world of cycling, and with whom we at Africa Rising Cycling have worked for many years: Jacques Landry and Jean-Pierre van Zyl (JP as he is known) from the UCI’s World Cycling Center (WCC). Jacques is based in Aigle in Switzerland and JP in Paarl in South Africa. Jacques leads the work of the WCC globally, with JP on point fo
Meet Alex Carera: The Cycling Super Agent Working With Africa's Top Riders
In our latest episode, we talked to Alex Carera, one of the key athlete managers in the world of cycling, known as the 'super agent' to many!He founded the A&J All Sports agency in 1997 which looks after star riders like Tadej Pogacar, Biniam Girmay and Henok Mulubrhan. More recently, we worked with Alex to help Tsige Kahsay Kiros (Ethiopia) secure a three year deal with the CANYON //
160,000 Bicycles Shipped Into Africa?? Meet the Re-Cycle Charity Helping Young Africans Get Mobile!
The Re-Cycle Charity provide young people across Africa with access to a quality used bicycle.They refurbish quality used bicycles in the UK and ship them regularly to seven projects across Africa, providing access to income, education, wellbeing, and creating long lasting improvement to livelihoods in Africa.We spoke with Charlotte Ward, Re-Cycle's Executive Director, about their mission, th
A New Adventure - Literally! Two South Africans Join The Modern Adventure Pro Cycling Team
Welcome to the latest episode of the Africa Rising Cycling podcast! Join us as we speak to Stefan de Bod and Byron Munton, two South African pro cyclists who have joined the newly launched Modern Adventure Pro Cycling team. The Modern Adventure Pro Cycling team was co-founded by George and Rich Hincapie, and is aiming to hit the pro cycling scene hard in 2026, with a strong squad of US, South Afri
Meet Africa's Latest Continental Team: Tshenolo Pro Cycling!
Tshenolo Pro Cycling is a new UCI Continental Team from Africa for the 2026 season. Established only a year ago as a club team in South Africa, and after huge success at the UCI 2.2 Tour of Benin on a wildcard entry, the team - based out of Pretoria -decided to register with the UCI and begin to build something.'Tshenolo' means 'revelation' in Setswana, and as the first UCI team ou
"She's Gonna Fly!" Reaction To Today's WCC Women's Continental Team Announcement: FIVE African Women on The Roster!
African cycling history was made today. The roster for the first professional women’s cycling team with FIVE riders from across all four corners of Africa was announced today on ProCyclingStats! The five women on the UCI Continental level World Cycling Centre Team are from Algeria, Benin*, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Rwanda (* Georgette is Benin’s first ever pro cyclist!)To react to the news and discu
Masaka Cycling Club - Growing Ugandan Men's & Women's Cycling
In this episode, we talk to Ross Burrage, the co-founder of the Masaka Cycling Club Foundation (MCC) in Uganda.MCC focuses on helping young Ugandan men and women become highly skilled young cyclists, with the dream of them getting their shot at going professional. Already one graduate of MCC has had a pro contract with an international team, with more to come!Ross co-founded MCC with Miiro Michael
2026 Transfers & Africa Tour Preview
In this episode of the Africa Rising Cycling podcast, we share a recent interview with did with the BBC World Service's NewsDay programme about some exciting African rider transfers for 2026, as well as a preview of the UCI Africa Tour racing calendar.Check out our 2026 UCI race and results tracker on our website here: https://teamafricarising.org/2026-africa-uci-calendar/
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