African Cycling Representation Hits Record High
A record 118 African riders are now on UCI teams for 2026, including Eritrea's Petros Mengs and South Africa's Stian Landsberg with Óbidos Cycling Team. Top represented nations include Algeria (24 riders), South Africa (24), and Eritrea (20), marking unprecedented African participation in professional cycling.
The recent surge in African cycling talent is built on decades of groundwork and trailblazing efforts. The UCI World Cycling Centre satellite in Paarl, South Africa, established in 2005, has been instrumental, training hundreds of athletes from over 40 nations and serving as a launchpad for riders like Eritrea's Daniel Teklehaimanot and Merhawi Kudus. This structured development is now bearing significant fruit, with over 140 African riders holding contracts with professional teams in 2025, a number that stood at 110 by early February 2026. The continent's racing calendar has also matured, providing crucial top-level competition. The Tour du Rwanda, known for its punishing high-altitude parcours with significant elevation gain, has become a key showcase for African talent against European professionals. Similarly, La Tropicale Amissa Bongo in Gabon stands as one of Africa's premier stage races, offering a vital platform for riders to gain international experience. Eritrea's Biniam Girmay has become a pivotal figure, shattering records and inspiring a new generation. In 2024, he made history as the first Black African to win a stage at the Tour de France, ultimately securing the green jersey as the points classification winner—another first for an African rider. His success has amplified the belief that African riders can compete for the sport's biggest prizes. Algeria's strong representation is bolstered by teams like Madar Pro Cycling, which has established itself as the top-ranked team on the UCI Africa Tour. The team features veteran riders like Azzedine Lagab, an 11-time national ITT champion, alongside rising stars such as Yacine Hamza. Youcef Reguigui, another prominent Algerian, has a history with WorldTour teams and continues to secure victories. South Africa's presence in the peloton has been sustained by riders like Louis Meintjes, who recorded three top-10 finishes at the Tour de France before his retirement in 2025. The nation's cycling future is being cultivated by new UCI Continental teams like Team Tshenolo Pro Cycling, which provides a platform for an all-South African roster. Veteran Stefan de Bod, a multiple national time trial champion, continues to compete at a high level, having ridden for several WorldTour outfits. The momentum is set to build with the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda—the first time the event will be held on African soil. This landmark event is expected to attract over 5,000 cyclists and further spotlight the continent's passion for the sport and its growing pool of elite talent, creating a lasting legacy for African cycling.
