Benin's bid to become a cycling power

The Tour du Benin, which was staged for the 20th time this year, has become a key date on the UCI Africa Tour

Football has long been the dominant sport in West Africa, with a well-established pipeline of talent feeding the world's top clubs, but one nation is hoping to help road cycling become the region's second sport.

While cycling programmes exist in Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast, the country where an evolution on two wheels is really taking place is Benin.

A population of approximately 15 million, and a young demographic with a median average age of 18, provides a strong foundation for development.

"I truly believe there is world-class talent in African cycling. We just need the time to reveal it," Benin Cycling Federation president Romauld Hazoume told BBC Sport Africa.

Riders such as Biniam Girmay, Louis Meintjes, Kim Le Court and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio have already proven Hazoume's point by competing in elite-level races on the global stage, but strong local and regional competition within Africa is needed to continue that progress, along with improved media coverage.

While Eritrea currently leads the way in African road cycling, it is Benin's ambition to emerge from the chasing pack and head the peloton.

The annual Tour du Benin, first held in 1990, is now a key April date on the Africa Tour, but the two Grands Prix that follow - one for men and one for women - are also important.

The enigmatic Hazoume, who has brought passion, energy and professionalism to Beninois cycling, has also introduced equal prize money and equipment for both genders.

"Our women's and men's teams are progressing, and we hope to see them shine on the international stage, along with demonstrating the values of cycling," he said.

'A good federation is so important'

Adrien Niyonshuti represented Rwanda at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics but is now head coach of the Benin Cycling Federation

Benin's investment in high-quality infrastructure has been coupled with a coaching programme which has included the appointment of two-time Olympian Adrien Niyonshuti as head coach.

Originally hailing from Rwanda, the 38-year-old has been impressed with the backing he has received from the federation during three years in the role.

"When I first came here, they had some good coaches but a lot of the things happening were not up to date," he explained.

"They did not have many races, so they would not come to Tour du Benin in the best shape.

"Now the riders are in much better condition and more professional. They have ambition and the riders now understand how to climb, how to sprint, how to win races.

"The Benin Cycling Federation truly have a passion for cycling and have taken on board many of my changes and improvements. A good federation is so important."

Two major events coming up on African soil will offer the chance for Benin to display its progress.

First comes the UCI Road World Championships, which will be hosted by Rwanda in September, before the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, next year.

Representing Benin's 'Amazonian women'

Georgette Vignonfodo hopes to forge a career as a professional cyclist

Benin made its debut at the Road World Championships last year, with Georgette Vignonfodo finishing the 73.5km women's junior road race in Zurich.

The UCI, the sport's world governing body, subsequently invited the 18-year-old to Europe for a development camp.

"At the beginning of my career my goal was simply to win all the national races in my category," she told the BBC.

"To participate in the World Championships and several women's tours outside of Benin opened my eyes to the true professional side of cycling.

"Now I have a deep desire to be a professional, proudly representing Benin and Africa."

Vignonfodo also says she wants to show the "determination and courage" of Beninois women.

"Being a female cyclist in Benin is to show how combative, capable, worthy and strong we are in what we are – Amazonian women," she added.

"It is to start the challenge every day of imposing ourselves in an environment that is still predominantly male.

"I am determined to commit to everything that can make my career a professional one. I am always ready to push my limits."

Opportunities for progress

The growth at grassroots level in Benin is being replicated in other parts of the continent.

There are nearly 150 African men and women racing professionally this year - more than the United States and Canada combined – and five pro teams registered in Africa.

This year's Africa Tour schedule features a total of 14 races, including stage races like the Tour du Rwanda and Tour du Cameroon, as well as one-day events such as the Grand Prix de Cotonou and Grand Prix Chantal Biya.

Yao Allan Kouame, who was elected as president of the Confederation of African Cycling in February, hopes to create even more races.

"I want more of these to be UCI-registered to ensure quality and strong start lists," the Ivorian told BBC Sport Africa.

"This level of competition will allow African athletes to understand the level they need to achieve by racing against better quality riders, as well as winning UCI points for themselves and their countries.

"This all goes together with my hope that, with Africa hosting the Road World Championships for the first time, we will see a record number of African countries represented there."

With the world's top riders set to descend on Rwanda in September, this year provides a real opportunity for road cycling to make giant advances - in Benin and across Africa.