Cycling: ESSABAHI Ibrahim wins the Chantal Biya International Mountain Bike Race in Cameroon

Our champion ESSABAHI Ibrahim won the Chantal Biya International Mountain Bike Race in the Elite Men category after claiming victory in the Olympic Cross-Country (XCO) event held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, in Bagofit, Cameroon.

The Moroccan cyclist completed the 45.2 km course in 1:24:32, finishing ahead of Dutch rider VAN DER PELT Jørmen, while Rwanda’s BANZI Bukhari completed the podium with a time of 1:30:05.

The race was contested on a mountainous course under rainy conditions and brought together riders from several countries. Morocco was represented by ARID Bilal, DAAMOUN Reda, ESSABAHI Ibrahim and CHERDOUDI Amina.

The Chantal Biya International Mountain Bike Race took place on August 7 and 8, 2026, in Cameroon’s East Region, with several mountain bike events featured on the competition programme.

ESSABAHI Ibrahim’s victory also enabled Morocco to retain the Elite Men title. At the 2025 edition, ARID Bilalclaimed first place ahead of fellow Moroccans AMMAR Houssam and DAOUDI Marouane, completing an all-Moroccan podium.

This latest victory further strengthens Morocco’s presence in international mountain biking competitions.