Umosen, Godwin Win Inaugural Ride Abuja Cycling Race

Godstime Cyril Umosen of Team Subsea and Osaretin Godwin of Team Edo emerged winners in the professional men’s and women’s categories respectively at the inaugural Ride Abuja Cycling Race in Abuja.

Umosen completed the 87-kilometre race in 2:01:18 to claim the men’s title, finishing just one second ahead of teammate Daniel Sunday, who clocked 2:01:19. Isah Momoh of Kaduna State Team finished third in 2:03:43.

In the women’s professional category, Godwin won in 2:09:11, edging teammate Divine Ogbe by one second. Ogbe finished in 2:09:12, while Treasure Coxsen of Team Subsea placed third in 2:09:13.

The race, organised by 76 Cycling Club Abuja Roadies (76CC), was held on Sunday and attracted professional and recreational cyclists from across Nigeria and abroad.

It was sanctioned by the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN) and conducted under the rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling’s world governing body.

The course took participants through several districts and landmarks in Abuja, combining competitive racing with a showcase of the Federal Capital Territory’s road network and urban landscape.

In the recreational men’s category, Hamza Abubakar, Marcus Wenz and Ayodimeji Olugbewasa finished first, second and third respectively, while Nadia Godis, Shakira Ige and Moonie Ophyong occupied the top three positions in the women’s category.

One of the highlights of the event was the completion of the full 87km course by Ian Atfield, a British High Commission staff member living with a disability, who competed on a recumbent handcycle.

The professional winners shared a prize purse of more than N6 million, with the organisers saying the reward was aimed at encouraging greater participation and nurturing emerging cycling talent.

Chairman of the organising committee, Henry Okelue, commended the event’s partners, sponsors and volunteers for contributing to the successful staging of the race.

Club captain Katka Gonyak acknowledged the challenges of organising a road race in Abuja but said the turnout demonstrated growing interest in competitive cycling. He added that preparations were already underway for the next edition.

Chairman of the club’s Board of Trustees, Dawud Kyari, said Ride Abuja was conceived to bring cyclists and their families together, promote cycling culture and showcase the capital city.

CFN Backs National Championship Plan

Technical Director of the CFN, Mohammed Basheer, said the federation was ready to support efforts to build on the success of Ride Abuja, including the possibility of developing it into a national championship.

Basheer said such a move could enable Nigerian cyclists to earn UCI points, which could strengthen their qualification prospects for major international competitions, including the World Championships, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

He described Abuja as capable of hosting major cycling events, citing its road network and the standard of competition witnessed at the race.

Basheer also urged cycling clubs and corporate organisations to stage more competitions to widen participation and strengthen the sport’s development.

CFN Secretary-General Joel Akinuwa said the race was conducted in line with UCI regulations, with medical personnel, security agencies, police, Vehicle Inspection Office officials and road barricades deployed to ensure safety.

He pledged the federation’s technical support to 76 Cycling Club Abuja Roadies and other organisations planning similar events.

Cyclists Seek Safer Roads

Despite describing Abuja as conducive to cycling, participants called for improved road safety and infrastructure for cyclists.

German cyclist Marcus Wenz said Abuja had significant room for improvement, citing poor road conditions, damaged drainage infrastructure, missing or vandalised manhole covers, traffic and what he described as negative attitudes from some motorists towards cyclists.

He urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration to prioritise cycling infrastructure and road safety.

Cycling coach Dr Samaila Usman, who has developed more than 40 cyclists from grassroots level to elite competition, described Ride Abuja as an important platform for identifying and nurturing athletes capable of representing Nigeria internationally.

The Kaduna-based coach praised the organisers for the race’s registration process and management, which he said compared favourably with competitions in Europe.

The organisers said Ride Abuja would become an annual event and appealed to the FCT Administration and other stakeholders for greater support to enable the race to grow into a major national and international cycling event.