Bobby Joseph, Nancy Akinyi win City Festival races
Cyclists in action during the City Festival on Wheels races in Nairobi on November 21, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Joseph, who started competitive cycling eight months, expressed satisfaction at the win following a bad outing at a race last weekend.
- "I was desperate to win today after crashing out at a race last weekend. I am glad I have redeemed myself today," the Art student told Nation Sport.
Bobby Joseph and Nancy Akinyi overcame stiff competition to win the elite men's and women's City Festival on Wheels races in Nairobi on Sunday.
Joseph, 23, won the six-lap elite men's race by two seconds as Josphat Kamau finished second with a time of 31 minutes 52 seconds. Kenneth Karaya crossed the finish line one second later to clinch third place.
JKUAT graduate Akinyi clocked 26 minutes, six seconds to win the four-lap elite women's race by one second. Dina Safari finished second as Mercy Fwande completed the podium with a time of 27 minutes 57 seconds.
Joseph, who started competitive cycling eight months, expressed satisfaction at the win following a bad outing at a race last weekend.
"I was desperate to win today after crashing out at a race last weekend. I am glad I have redeemed myself today," the Art student told Nation Sport.
Akinyi described the win as a good outing after months out of competitive racing.
"A win is always good. It had been a long time since I competed so, it was great racing today. I look forward to competing in more races in 2022," Akinyi said.
Africa Extreme organised the event in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) to promote cycling and other forms of non-motorised transport as an alternative, affordable, environmentally friendly, and healthy solution for daily commute.
The event, which coincided with World Remembrance Day for Road Crash Victims, also served to remember cyclists who have lost their lives in road crashes and, raise awareness of the road safety requirements for non-motorised transportation.
The European Union sponsored the event that saw cycling and skating enthusiasts compete in various race categories around a 3.8-kilometre circuit that started and ended at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The circuit took competitors through Parliament Road, Harambee Avenue, Taifa Road, City Hall Way, Moi Avenue, University Way, Koinange Street, Monrovia Road, Loita Street, Koinange Street (again), Cardinal Otunga Street, and Parliament Road.
The other race categories were: Junior Skaters (14-18 years), Senior Skaters (18 years and above), Cycling Men's Junior (18-14 years), Cycling Men's Veterans (40 years and above), Cycling Ladies Junior (14-18 years), Cycling Ladies Senior (40 years and above), Mountain Bike (men only), and Weekend Warriors (men only).
The top three in each category received a cash prize, a medal, a certificate, and a gift hamper of Melvins Tea.
The complete list of the best performers in each category is as follows:
CYCLING ELITE MEN'S RACE (six laps)
1. Bobby Joseph, 31:50
2. Josphat Kamau, 31:52
3. Kenneth Karaya, 31:53
CYCLING ELITE WOMEN'S RACE (four laps)
1. Nancy Akinyi, 26:06
2. Dina Safari, 26:07
3. Mercy Fwande, 27:57
CYCLING MEN'S VETERANS (three laps)
1. James Juma
2. Benson Njuguna
3. Martin Mbutura
CYCLING LADIES' SENIOR (three laps)
1. Mercy Busolo
2. Carol Mbutura
3. Sanni Bundgaard
CYCLING MEN'S JUNIOR (three laps)
1. Anthony Njeng'a
2. Shallom Kimeu
3. Issa Owaga
CYCLING LADIES' JUNIOR (three laps)
1. Megan Ambasa
2. Margaret Mutuku
3. Nadia Ndibo
MOUNTAIN BIKE (four laps)
1. Alex Maina
2. Simon Karanja
3. Naftali Odhiambo
WEEKEND WARRIORS (four laps)
1. Ken Mwangi
2. Marvin Kirschner
3. Tobby Blake
SKATERS' SENIOR
1. Joseph Njeng'a
2. Peter Kamau
3. Andrew Mwanthi
SKATERS' JUNIOR
1. Jeff Mungai
2. John Mutembei
3. Maxwell Muthomi
