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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.<\/b><\/p>\n
While cycling programmes exist in Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast, the country where an evolution on two wheels is really taking place is Benin.<\/p>\n
A population of approximately 15 million, and a young demographic with a median average age of 18, provides a strong foundation for development.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The enigmatic Hazoume, who has brought passion, energy and professionalism to Beninois cycling, has also introduced equal prize money and equipment for both genders.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n