With the World Championships concluded and a limited number of UCI races left on the calendar, attention now shifts to contract negotiations for 2025. In this context, we’ve compiled an overview of where the top 20 male and top 10 female cyclists from Africa currently stand, based on their performance in the Africa Tour and their UCI points.
Alongside these rankings, we’ve included additional names of riders we believe warrant recognition in this analysis.
A significant number of riders have already secured contracts for the 2025 season; notably, six of the top ten male cyclists from Africa have confirmed placements on professional teams. However, the future remains uncertain for key figures such as Africa’s third-ranked rider, Alexandre Mayer, as well as Charles Kagimu, who finished seventh in Africa and represented Uganda in the recent Olympic Road Race. Adding to the intrigue, World Tour cyclist Stefan de Bod has yet to secure a ride for the upcoming season.
Alarmingly, out of the top 20 male riders and the majority of the top 10 female cyclists in the Africa Tour, ten of the men and most of the women do not yet have confirmed contracts for 2025. (*Five of the female riders below were part of the Canyon/SRAM Generation team in 2024, which is set to rebrand as CANYON/SRAM zondacrypto Generation for 2025, but their roster has not been officially announced.*).
It is crucial for everyone associated with African cycling to ensure these emerging talents remain visible to professional teams around the globe. To facilitate this, we have been actively promoting U23 riders from the continent across our social media platforms.
This overview reflects the current situation as of November 10, 2024, and we will continue to provide updates with any breaking developments as they arise. We adhere to the same reporting standards as our partner ProCyclingStats, meaning we will only publish confirmed deals officially announced by teams or riders, steering clear of unverified rumors:
Our partners at ProCyclingStats provide a comprehensive live feed on all confirmed transfers for male and female professional cyclists for 2025 and beyond on their website, accessible HERE.
**Interview with Cycling Analyst, Sarah Ndori, on African Cyclists and Contract Negotiations for 2025**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Sarah. With the World Championships concluded, it seems like there’s a big focus on contract negotiations for 2025 among African cyclists. What’s the general sentiment in the cycling community about these developments?
**Sarah Ndori**: Thank you for having me. There’s definitely a mix of anticipation and concern. On one hand, we see that six of the top ten male cyclists from Africa have secured contracts, which is promising for the sport’s growth on the continent. However, there are still major uncertainties for key riders like Alexandre Mayer and Charles Kagimu. The cycling community is eager to see how teams will fill in those gaps.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned riders like Alexandre Mayer and Charles Kagimu. Can you elaborate on their current situations and potential impact on African cycling if they remain without contracts?
**Sarah Ndori**: Absolutely. Alexandre Mayer, currently ranked third in Africa, has yet to finalize a contract for 2025, which could have significant implications on his career momentum. Charles Kagimu, who performed admirably for Uganda at the recent Olympic Road Race, has also not secured a seat. Their absence on professional teams could limit African representation in higher-tier competitions and hinder overall growth in the sport within the continent.
**Interviewer**: Alarmingly, it was noted that many top male and female riders still don’t have contracts in place for the upcoming season. What do you think needs to happen to ensure these athletes remain visible to teams?
**Sarah Ndori**: Visibility is crucial. We’ve been actively promoting U23 riders through social media platforms and highlighting their performances. Additionally, stakeholders in African cycling, including cycling federations and marketing agencies, need to step up their efforts in showcasing talent to professional teams globally. It’s all about creating opportunities and making sure these athletes get the recognition they deserve.
**Interviewer**: Looking at the listed rankings, the landscape is shifting. How do you see the future of African cycling evolving with these developments?
**Sarah Ndori**: If the current trends continue, we can expect more African riders to break into professional teams, particularly with the ongoing growth in the sport. But it’s vital to address the gaps, like the uncertainties surrounding established riders. Success for African cyclists will rely on a combination of talent development, solid sponsorships, and sustained exposure in international competitions.
**Interviewer**: Thanks for your insights, Sarah. It’s clear that the future holds both challenges and exciting possibilities for African cycling.
**Sarah Ndori**: Thank you! I’m hopeful that with the right support and visibility, we will see even more African cyclists thriving on the world stage in the years to come.
