Let's put things into perspective regarding the achievements of the Team Madar and Xaverine Rinere, yet from Algeria to Namibia - not just in Eritrea or Mauritius (just ask Kim Le Court) - there are signs of vitality on a continental scale, setting the stage for the world event in Kigali 2025.

In the Rwandan capital, the Algerian national team will arrive backed by Team Madar's leadership among African teams, with 653 UCI points clearly attesting to their top position, compared to Moroccan teams Agadir Velo Propulsion or Sidi Ali - Unlock, second and third in the rankings. In Algeria, where the Mediterranean Games were held in Oran and the African School Games just concluded, expectations for the world championship are placed on the structured continental team in white and red jerseys, skillfully balancing young under-23 riders and "mentor" cyclists, like multiple-winner Azzedine Lagab, 38 years old, and the national movement's flagship athlete, Youcef Reguigui, who spent five years with Mtn Qhubeka, including two World Tour seasons under the Dimension Data banner.

ALGERIA MAKES ITS VOICE HEARD

The cyclist's achievements include winning the Tour of Azerbaijan in 2012 and an overall victory at the Tour de Langkawi, with two participations in the Vuelta Espana. In Kigali, Team Madar's management will keep a close eye on the performances of its many Algerian riders, not forgetting the two South Africans Warren Moolman (a 21-year-old with great promise) and Edmile Van Nieker. Compared to South Africa (33rd), a country with cycling tradition, Algeria ranks 32nd in the national rankings, a not insignificant leap. Sports director Abdeslam Dahmane recently explained Team Madar's philosophy to Team Africa Rising: "We were founded just a year ago thanks to the support of the large Holding sponsoring us. They believe in us, in our common roots in Algerian and African soil. The team has a clear goal: to enable our athletes to compete at the highest levels, developing a positive image of national and continental cycling worldwide".

In short, Yacine Hamza's third place in African individual rankings is just a prelude, positively observing the growth of national champion Nesrine Houili, who experienced the effectiveness of a camp in Belgium. Relativizing Team Madar's fate doesn't mean looking down on the team's upcoming commitments in Estonia (Baltic Chain Tour) and Turkey (Tour of Route Salvation).

Changing scenery and hemisphere, but still in Africa, we encounter Xaverine Nirere, a 23-year-old Rwandan who dominated the first edition of the Pupkewitz Tour de Windhoek, a stage race that put Namibia on the map of women's cycling under the UCI umbrella. Such pioneering opportunities are crucial for opening a development path in women's cycling, where Rwanda presents the rising star Jazilla Mwamikazi, recently returned from a long and fruitful stage in France with the WCC UCI structure.

FIRST WOMEN'S ACT, RWANDAN STAR SHINES

Here we talk about Nirere, recent winner of the national time trial championship and diamond point of the Amani team directed by former Ethiopian professional Tsabu Grmay. After removing the down jackets they wore before departure (Windhoek is at 2000 meters with marked thermal variation), the 47 cyclists at the start opened... a path. Once again, the possibility of expanding the calendar is confirmed, well knowing that much in this perspective will depend on the Kigali 2025 momentum and ongoing programming (Namibia is also ready to host the first African gravel championships). Xaverine Nirere, clearly first with 10-minute gaps in the overall standings compared to her Ethiopian teammates, has experienced European gravel events in Spain, thanks to Grmay, who lives in Girona. Now (if in Africa, versatility were not even more facilitated by the richness of off-road routes) she calls for road cycling... "In Windhoek, during the penultimate stage, I forced the pace and it went well, then protected the next day by the other Amani team girls. I see this success as a fundamental boost for my career and looking towards the World Championship in my Rwanda" concludes the sister of the two-time Tour du Rwanda winner. Xaverine Nirere: name and surname noted.