Team Amani capped off a dominant week of racing at the Tour Cycliste International Féminin du Burundi (UCI 2.2) on Thursday, sealing the overall General Classification title alongside another stage win - the team's second in as many days.
The all-African outfit finished the race with a commanding 1st, 3rd and 4th on the final GC standings, underlining the strength and depth of the squad across the five-stage race.
BACK-TO-BACK STAGE WINS FOR EYERU
Eyeru Haftu Reda claimed her second-consecutive stage victory after committing to a solo move that held firm to the finish. It was the perfect platform for her teammate Meresiet Ashebir Gebrehiwet to confirm the overall title.
"The team tactics worked out perfectly for us today," Haftu Reda said. "When I was away solo, I thought I was going to be caught, but with 10km to go I had a good gap. I started thinking about the win and feeling inspired."
The stage win also marked a personal turnaround for the rider. "Last year in Namibia I didn't have the best performance, even though the team was winning. I am so happy to see my own improvement from last year."
With Team Amani locking out three of the top four places overall, Haftu Reda had a message for the next generation of African talent. "I want to say to other African riders if you have the interest and the dream to win, you can achieve it. It's only about working hard and being strong mentally."
MERESIET COMPLETES THE COMEBACK
For overall winner Gebrehiwet, the victory represents a return to form after a difficult stretch that included a crash and missed races earlier in the European season.
"I can't express my feelings, it's too much. This means so much," she said. "Racing in Europe earlier this year was good, but after I crashed, I was forced to miss some races. Now I am coming back, and winning this race feels so good."
Defending the leader's jersey over the race's closing stages was far from straightforward. "One second was hard to defend it was so stressful. The three stages defending it were so hard. We had to wait for them to announce the results at the finish every day, and that wait and anticipation was stressful."
With the race won, she reflected on the weight of expectation that came with leading a strong Team Amani roster. "I felt the pressure because we have the strongest riders here, and it was the team's objective to win the race, so we had that pressure. Now I feel the opposite, no more pressure, only happiness."
Looking ahead, she was quick to credit those supporting the team's journey. "We will still progress a lot and become better in time. Thanks to everyone supporting us, and I want to encourage people to follow our journey we will improve from race to race towards our goals."
AFRICA KEY
Beyond the results, the week served as a reminder of why races like the Tour du Burundi are so important to Team Amani’s mission. Visa barriers remain a persistent obstacle preventing talented African riders from accessing European racing.
Rider Claudette Nyirarukundo had her visa application for Europe denied earlier this year but in Burundi, she had the opportunity to race, and finished on the podium.
"It's why it's so important to create racing opportunities at home too," said Gebremariam.
Team AMANI's performance in Burundi a dominant week of racing capped by a 1-3-4 GC finish stands as a testament to what's possible when African riders and staff are given the platform to compete and grow on their own continent.