Eritrean national cycling team become African champions for the third consecutive time

In the African Cycling Championship 2012 conducted in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Natnael Berhane stood first and Firekalsi Debesai third and thus the Eritrean national cycling team became African champion for the third consecutive year.

Last year’s African champion Natnael Berhane skipped from the main group along with South African rider Jay Thompson during the two remaining lapses and from the bounce he made in the last 500 meters he won a gold medal and he got big applause from cycling fans and especially from residents of Ouagadougou.

Firekalsi Debesai also won bronze medal.

Reports from the competition indicate that the role cyclist Berket Yemane played for the victory of the national team was significant.

It is to be recalled that in the Championship the Eritrean national team won gold medal in the road race and in the individual chronometer race through Daniel Teklehaimanot.