Nuru Pardine, Sakura Zongo claim inaugural Bahati Cycling classic titles

Veteran cyclist Nuru Pardine, 48, and Burkina Faso’s Samira Zongo, 20, emerged as the first-ever winners of the Bahati Cycling Classic, which made its debut in Accra on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the Accra Sports Stadium in Osu.

Pardine, a seasoned campaigner with years of experience on the local and international scene, produced a commanding ride to claim the elite men’s title. He completed the race in 1 hour, 21 minutes and 28 seconds, holding off a strong field that included Emmanuel Sesi, the 2024 SWAG Cyclist of the Year, who took silver, and Solomon Tagoe, who settled for bronze.

In the women’s category, Zongo delivered a dominant performance, covering the 16.5-kilometre course in 29 minutes and 34.03 seconds to secure gold. The Burkinabe rider, who also won the junior title, expressed her delight at the double triumph and extended her gratitude to the Burkina Faso community in Ghana for their unwavering support. Abigail Tetteh of the Ghana Police Service Cycling Team claimed silver in a closely contested finish, while Kesewa Adade took bronze.

The Ghana Police Service Cycling Team delivered a commendable performance at the maiden edition, with several riders featuring prominently across multiple categories.

In the U-23 men’s category, Elvis Arthur claimed gold, with Poda Jonas taking silver and William Afful securing bronze.

The debut event attracted cyclists from Ghana, Burkina Faso, Jamaica, and the United States, creating an exciting atmosphere of international competition and sportsmanship. It was organised by the Ghana Cycling Federation (GCF) and powered by the Bahati Foundation, an American nonprofit founded by professional cyclist Rahsaan Bahati to build cycling infrastructure and create opportunities across Africa. Corporate partners included Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, Zwift, Giant Bicycles, and Promasidor.

The race carries significance beyond Sunday’s results. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has registered the Bahati Classic for official ranking points starting with its 2027 edition. This year’s event thus stands as the last edition run outside the UCI’s international calendar before Ghana’s cycling scene enters fully sanctioned competition.

Medals and prizes were presented to the winners by Shaaban Mohammed, Secretary-General of the Ghana Cycling Federation, alongside officials of the Bahati Cycling Race Organising Committee.

The Bahati Cycling Classic opens what promises to be one of Ghana’s busiest cycling seasons, with the Tour Du Ghana scheduled for November 2026. As Ghana prepares for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the Classic marks a significant step in the sport’s development and its journey towards mainstream recognition.