Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — May 3, 2026 | Horn News Hub
Addis Ababa has hosted the first African leg of the City Mountain Bike Eliminator Pro League, with the race staged at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum. The event marks the expansion of the international urban cycling series onto the African continent.
Organisers said 43 elite cyclists from 17 countries took part, including competitors from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Botswana, alongside riders from Europe and Asia. The race was broadcast to international audiences, placing the Ethiopian capital on the global cycling calendar.
City officials said the event reflects ongoing urban transformation efforts led by the Addis Ababa City Administration under Mayor Adanech Abebe. These efforts include the development of cycling lanes, improved pedestrian infrastructure and the expansion of public recreational spaces aimed at promoting a greener and more liveable city.
Mayor Adanech said hosting the competition demonstrates the city’s growing capacity to stage international events while linking Ethiopia’s historical legacy with its modern development agenda. She noted that recent investments in urban infrastructure have positioned Addis Ababa as an emerging destination for global sports.
The event forms part of a series recognised by the Union Cycliste Internationale, signalling a broader geographic expansion of the competition.
City Mountain Bike CEO Christopher Bruyneel said the Addis Ababa race represents a milestone, describing it as the first event of its level to be held in Africa and formally bringing Ethiopia into the global series.
In the women’s final, Didi de Vries of the Netherlands took gold with a time of 02:15.86. Fellow Dutch rider Elodie Kuijper secured silver, while Monica Kiplagat of Kenya finished third.
In the men’s final, Matic Kranjec Zagar of Slovenia claimed gold, followed by Austria’s Theo Hauser in second place and Sweden’s Edvin Lindh in third.
The race concluded after the final rounds, marking the successful debut of the City Mountain Bike Eliminator Pro League in Africa and underscoring Addis Ababa’s ambitions to position itself as a hub for international sporting events.
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