Team Zambia Cyclist, Vanessa Matende, made history as the first female Cyclist to compete at the Commonwealth Youth Games during the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.

NOCZ has disclosed that Matende completed the Women’s Road Race of 55 kilometers with a time of 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 43 seconds, ranking 18th out of 21 cyclists.

The race was held in humid conditions, with humidity at 63%, precipitation at 72%, and temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius.

National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association – Zambia Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi described the race as tough for all the cyclists.

Kambikambi says Vanessa competed against some of the best and strong riders and did very well in the race.

Kambikambia adds that the Olympic Committee is quite impressed with her performance, adding that the achievement is significant for Cycling in Zambia and a sign of the progress that the sport is making in the country.

“Vanessa was competing against some of the very good strong riders,” he said. “She did very well, and we are quite impressed with her performance.”