A total of four medals were won by Algeria at the African Continental Road Championships 2019 and National Coach Chérif Merabet was “very satisfied” with the performance of the Algerian cyclists at the competition, which was held from March 15-20 in the city of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Eight cyclists were sent to compete in Ethiopia, of which half brought back to Algeria two silver and two bronze medals. Azzedine Lagab and Yacine Hamza earned silver medals in their respective events, meanwhile Youcef Reguigui and Islam Mansouri both claimed the bronze medals.

The 174 km senior event saw Lagab cross the finish line five seconds behind the winner, Eritrean Mekse Bebesay, and ahead of his teammate Reguigui. Lagab completed the podium, 25 seconds behind the champion, who clocked 3:49.48.

In the under 23 individual time trial, Hamza, who finished seventh in the overall standings, was able to snatch the silver medal, in which his teammate Mansouri won the bronze medal.

A satisfied Merabet spoke to the official website of the Cycling Federation after the competition came to an end,

“Our cyclists have managed a perfect race, managing the situation perfectly, from start to finish, and they are therefore to be congratulated for that,” said the national coach.

Adding that, personally he is very satisfied, as “two Algerian athletes finishing on the podium at the African Championships is a great accomplishment”.