Kisumu, Kenya, African road cycling championships in the men's junior category. Scenes of a triumph, the finish line crossed on foot, accompanying his bike with him. Victor Ngugi didn't actually win, eliminated by a mechanical failure after 106 km covered and a medal prospect that slipped away.

Yet, the video of the boy surrounded by a celebrating crowd doesn't lend itself to much interpretation. Make room on the podium, Victor has already conquered a personal laurel through perseverance, attracting the solidarity of spectators. The final standings read: first place for Zimbabwe with Ronan Nicholson, second for Mauritius thanks to Juliano Ndriamanapy, third for Algeria signed by Abdelkader Becheleghem.

And him, Victor? Twenty-second position at 12'47" from the winner is the last of the classified riders in a race that proved to be very selective. He would have liked to emulate his compatriot Mercy Eragae, third in the juniors, but bad luck had a hand in it. In its third year hosting the continental event, Kenya demonstrates fair play and participation, closeness to riders but not only, because the nation of runners and marathoners has taken to cycling.