Ugandan cyclists joined the rest of the world to mark World Cycling Day on June 3 which was designated by the United Nations in 2018 to observe a clean environment around the world through the sport.

Despite the Marty’s Day pilgrimage to Namugongo shrines, cyclists from 12 clubs converged at Ecole Schools along Lugogo By-pass for the event that saw Masaka Cycling Club athletes take the limelight when Abdu Maswazi won in the elite men category, while Florence Nagawa won in the women category.

The men competed in the 73 km race, while the women went for 44 km.

The race also had para-athletes and kids taking part to observe the World Cycling Day which was organized by Uganda Cycling Academy Club in conjunction with Uganda Cycling Association and Ecole School.

The elite men's winner, Abdul Maswazi said he was looking at winning a national championship.

“We are doing a big job in Masaka and I am looking to be the national champion,” he said.

Aziz Ssempijja of Kyanja Cycling Club said that despite failing to get a visa to compete in the South African race recently, he is still on track to achieve his targets.

“I failed to get a visa to compete in South Africa but now I am training for the World Championships,” Ssempijja said.

The women's winner Nagawa is also eager to participate in the World Championships in Scotland in September.

“I am happy for my club to sponsor me to compete in the South African Championships and train there also. It’s that big international exposure that I want to ride on till the World Championships,” Nagawa noted.

The proceeds from the race are meant to plant trees at five schools in Kabale that were de-roofed last year due to lack of vegetation cover according to Augustine Niyonzima of Uganda Cycling Academy.

A French Embassy official Yves Mercier, Patricia Nsiima of Coca-Cola, and Wilbert Ikilai of NEMA graced the event.

Clubs included Kampala Cycling, Masaka, Mbarara, Kyanja, Tropical Heat, Critical Mass, Fan, Para-Cycling, and Mwatu among others.

World Cycling Day Winners Times:

Elite Men:

1.  Abdul Maswazi – 1:33:30.10

2.  Aziz Ssempijja – 1:33:30.44

3.  Sam Sabagooya – 1:33:31.23

Junior Men:

1.  Richard Kamya

2.  Alvin Mulindwa

3.  Edward Uwotonya

Elite women:

1.  Florence Nagawa – 1:10.38

2.  Kevin Nakato – 1:16.33

3.  Maria Nantume – 1:35.56

Para Cyclists:

1.  Umar Bakasha - 1: 45:52

2.  Collin Kadamali - 1:54.16

3.  Haruna Tamale – 1:54.18