Football has long been the dominant sport in West Africa, with a well-established pipeline of talent feeding the world’s top clubs, but one nation is hoping to help road cycling become the region’s second sport.
While cycling programmes exist in Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast, the country where an evolution on two wheels is really taking place is Benin.
A population of approximately 15 million, and a young demographic with a median average age of 18, provides a strong foundation for development.
“I truly believe there is world-class talent in African cycling. We just need the time to reveal it,” Benin Cycling Federation president Romauld Hazoume told BBC Sport Africa.
Riders such as Biniam Girmay, Louis Meintjes, Kim Le Court and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio have already proven Hazoume’s point by competing in elite-level races on the global stage, but strong local and regional competition within Africa is needed to continue that progress, along with improved media coverage.
While Eritrea currently leads the way in African road cycling, it is Benin’s ambition to emerge from the chasing pack and head the peloton.
The annual Tour du Benin, first held in 1990, is now a key April date on the Africa Tour, but the two Grands Prix that follow – one for men and one for women – are also important.
The enigmatic Hazoume, who has brought passion, energy and professionalism to Beninois cycling, has also introduced equal prize money and equipment for both genders.
“Our women’s and men’s teams are progressing, and we hope to see them shine on the international stage, along with demonstrating the values of cycling,” he said.
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