Africa Rising Cycling Podcast

Africa Rising Cycling

Africa Rising Cycling is a non-profit which has been operating across the continent for 20 years. After the first World Champs on African soil in Sep 2025 and over 140 African men and women racing internationally, 2026 is going to be a big year. We will bring you all the big stories as they happen, talk to the big and rising star names, and share the stories that matter about African cycling! To get more info, visit us at: https://teamafricarising.org/

  1. Season 2: Creating a Cycling Culture in Africa: Meet Village Bicycle Project

    1d ago

    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 operating in Africa for over two decades, aiming to empower communities by strengthening bicycle culture. Their programs couple quality subsidized bicycles with hands-on maintenance training for new owners. They also give village bike mechanics detailed training along with access to specialized bike tools and spare parts. VBP is focused on Sierra Leone and Ghana. We discussed VBP's mission, and their impact to date; the changes Joshua has seen in both countries through the acceptance and passion for cycling across communities; the evolution of cycling as a sport, notably in Sierra Leone through the tireless work of their partner Abdul Karim Kamara (CEO and Founder of Tour De Lunsar and the Lunsar Cycling Team) and the success of the Tour of Lunsar there in getting local people excited about cycling; Joshua's recent participation in the SUFFER event (An Africa Rising Cycling fundraider in the USA) and the launch of a SUFFER Wyoming Gravel event in September (contact info@teamafricarising.org for more info!); and finishing on the need for more cycling-related infrastructure across Africa, with Kimberly highlighting Benin's recent investment in bike lanes in the capital city of Cotonou. Joshua shares at the end how they are always in need of bicycles, bike parts, board members and of course donations. Check out their website for more details on getting involved! Give them a follow on Facebook or Instagram to see updates on their work.

    29 min
  2. Meet Madar Pro Cycling - Africa's #1 Men's UCI Continental Team

    Jun 9

    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 been on their roster, and in 2025 they were the #1 African UCI Continental Team, and broke into the Top 50 teams globally. On 5 June 2026, they won the Tour de Maurice, as well as taking the coveted KOM Jersey. Our CEO Kimberly Coats and our Podcast Host Jeremy Ford talked to Dahmane about the team, their strategy, Algerian cycling and women's cycling there. We hope you enjoy!

    23 min
  3. Racing Recap: We take a look at how African riders and races are doing (so far!)

    Jun 2

    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 league table, the first time Biniam Girmay has been de-throned in several years!We talk through some of the big moments from the recent UCI 2.2 Tour du BeninWe hear from special guest Michel Mayer, the President of Mauritius Cycling and on the organising committee of the Tour of Mauritius (starting today - 2 June). Start-list on ProCyclingStats here.Some initial insights on the Tour of Cameroon (starts on 3 June) Start-list on ProCyclingStats here.and finally: a quick preview of the dozen or so National Road Cycling Championships taking place in late June. You can see a full list on our website HERE.We hope you enjoy this episode! Let us know feedback in the comments!

    30 min
  4. Truly Africa's Team: The Amazing Work of Team BIKE AID

    May 26

    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 has been a long-term supporter of bringing young African talent to the international cycling world, since his visit to the Tour of Togo in 2013. On the podcast, he talks through his journey in creating and building Team BIKE AID; some of the incredible talents he has seen come through like Dawit Yemane, Milkias Maekele and Meron Amanuel; the team's unique #rideforafrica jersey (a part of the sales of which fund development grants for young African riders - in partnership with Africa Rising Cycling); and his thoughts on the latest Eritrean talents he has on the squad for 2026: Yoel Habteab, Even Yemane and Nahom Efriem. We hope you enjoy this conversation with a truly influential and yet very humble man in African cycling development.

    31 min
  5. Merhawi Kudus - A True Pioneer of African Professional Cycling

    May 19

    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 these early Eritrean riders laid the foundations for the next generation like Biniam Girmay and Natnael Tesfatsion to build on, and with a third generation of young sensations like Nahom Efriem (BIKE AID) and Milkias Maekele (INEOS Grenadiers) coming through strong again. We talked to Mera about his journey, his inspiration, his different teams, favourite races and moments, and his thoughts for the key areas of focus for young riders. We hope you enjoy this time with one of the true greats of African cycling. Elelelelelelele!

    26 min
  6. Alexandre Mayer - Meet Mauritius' Top Male Rider

    May 12

    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 Race there (he will be racing stage three there when this podcast is published). He is always remarkably honest and open, and talks passionately about his recent marriage to fellow Mauritian cyclist Lucie de Marigny-Lagesse - who went pro in 2026 with the WCC Team - and how they are sharing their journey together. We hope you enjoy this discussion!

    21 min
  7. Introducing Salami Avocetien - The 21yo Rising Star of African Cycling Development

    May 5

    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 to the UCI this summer for a 3-month internship, and will complete a Masters degree as well. He is a truly remarkable young man. With Benin seeing its first rider get a professional contract in 2026 (Georgette Vignonfodo - WCC Women's Team), Salami might be the next biggest thing to come out of cycling in Benin, and across West Africa. The future for this young man is so bright in our sport. Have a listen to his story...

    29 min
  8. Rogora! Rogora! Ethiopia's Kiya Rogora Shares His Plans For The New JR Pro Cycling Team (Ethiopia)

    Apr 28

    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 exciting new men's road racing team in Ethiopia: JR Pro Cycling. The name brings to life his father's name - Jemal Rogora - an Olympian and one of Ethiopia's most famous cyclists. Dire Dawa has a long history of cycling prowess, but has recently been somewhat overshadowed by the sheer volume of riders coming from the Tigray region in the north of the country. JR Pro Cycling aims to bring back the pride in Dire Dawa, and maybe become Ethiopia's first ever men's professional UCI team. Kiya talks through his career, his heroes, the success of the team so far, the challenges, and the hunt for sponsors to join them in the journey. We hope you enjoy!

    29 min
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About

Africa Rising Cycling is a non-profit which has been operating across the continent for 20 years. After the first World Champs on African soil in Sep 2025 and over 140 African men and women racing internationally, 2026 is going to be a big year. We will bring you all the big stories as they happen, talk to the big and rising star names, and share the stories that matter about African cycling! To get more info, visit us at: https://teamafricarising.org/

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