Kisumu, Sunday
The final afternoon of the 2026 CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Kisumu erupted into an absolute furnace of speed and endurance. In a historic, heart-pounding 153-kilometre Men's Under-23 Road Race, Senegal's Neriah Sow Meunier etched his name into cycling folklore, capturing his nation's first-ever gold medal in the category.
Meunier tore across the finish line in a blistering 3:44:45 to wrap his hands around the continental crown. Behind him, the race exploded into a frantic, wheel-to-wheel sprint for the remaining medals, with Algeria’s Amime Mohamed Hamzaoui digging deep into his reserves to snatch the silver in 3:45:50.
Left to right: Silver medalist Mohamed Amine Hamzoui (Morocco), gold medalist Neriah Meunir Sow (Senegal) and bronze winner Paul Miro (Uganda) after finishing top in the Under-23, 153-kilometre Road Race at the CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Kisumu. Photo - CAC Media
Crossing the line in the exact same second as Hamzaoui, Uganda’s cycling prodigy Paul Miro completed the podium, seizing a magnificent bronze medal.
While Senegal celebrated their historic breakthrough, it was Miro who wore the most radiant, high-wattage smile on the podium. Making his absolute maiden appearance in the brutal Under-23 category, the young Ugandan rider fully announced himself on the continental stage, turning headwind and heavy legs into a career-defining podium debut.
“The race was good. I was so happy to get on the podium with a bronze in my first-ever Under-23 race,” Miro said, his eyes gleaming with pride.
Buoyed by the pure adrenaline of his podium breakthrough on Kisumu's tarmac, the youngster is already looking far beyond the immediate celebrations. He has already begun plotting his next continental raid, with a clear, golden target locked in his sights for next year's championships.
“Maybe next year I can get gold,” Miro declared with fierce confidence.
Neriah Meunir Sow (Senegal) celebrates winning the Under-23, 153-kilometre Road Race gold medal. Photo - CAC Media
For Miro, this spectacular introduction to elite international cycling was no stroke of luck; it was a hard-earned validation of a relentless grind behind closed doors. “Hard work and training consistently was the secret to my success today,” he revealed.
Yet, this ambitious rider refuses to let his dreams be contained by the continent. Miro's vision spans globally, as he sets his sights on crossing the Mediterranean to test his mettle against the absolute best on earth at the World Championships in France next year.
“From here now, the next target is the World Championships in France next year,” Miro said, unblinking.
With an African bronze locked away on his very first attempt, Miro is officially daring to dream of a future where he can trade continental metal for the legendary rainbow stripes. “I would like to be a world champion in the future,” he added.
Uganda's Paul Miro (Uganda) celebrated after bagging bronze in the Under-23, 153-kilometre Road Race at the CAC Road Cycling African Championships in Kisumu on Sunday. Photo – CAC Media
Leading positions from the Men’s 153-kilometre, Under-23 Road Race at the CAC Road Cycling African Championships:
- Neriah Meunir Sow (Senegal)
- Mohamed Amine Hamzoui (Morocco)
- Paul Miro (Uganda)
- Shafik Mugalu (Uganda)
- Anes Riahi (Algeria)
- Hiyab Abtom (Eritrea)
- Mohamed Aziz Dellai (Tunisia)
- Ali Zakaria Sahiri (Algeria)
- Lawrence Lorot (Uganda)
- Joshua Dike (South Africa)
