logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2022
14m 39s

What’s stopping Africans from winning To...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Cycling is popular in Africa. Wherever you travel across the continent, the young and old are commuting on bikes.

Countries like Rwanda, Cameroon and Burkina Faso have their own tours.

But it seems to be an uphill climb for African riders to make it to the top of the most famous cycling competition; Tour de France.

Very few Africans have made it to the Tour and no African has won the competition.

Louis Meintjes is the highest African finisher at the Tour de France twice finishing 8th.

And he’s one of only two African riders out of over 170 riders who are taking part in this year’s Tour.

So what’s stopping Africans from racing to the top at the Tour de France?

That’s what Victoria Uwonkunda is discussing with South African Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, who’s aiming for a spot on the final podium at the Tour de France Femmes, the first women’s Tour.

Up next
Oct 3
Focus on Africa: Can Botswana continue to depend on its diamond industry?
In an exclusive interview with the BBC's Waihiga Mwaura, Botswana's President Duma Boko, outlines his plan to reduce his country's reliance on the diamond industry amid falling global demand, and how he is pushing for a 0% tariff deal with the US.Guinea is showing signs of econom ... Show More
27m 30s
Sep 12
Focus on Africa: Who is Uganda's Joseph Kony?
The International Criminal Court concludes hearings into war crime charges against the Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony and will decide whether he should face trial. But who is Joseph Kony and what are the charges against him? How some South African schools are fighting childhood ... Show More
35m 33s
Sep 9
Focus on Africa: Ethiopia opens huge dam despite outside opposition
Ethiopia opens Africa's largest hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile river deepening a rift with Egypt and Sudan.Authorities in the US have arrested two suspected leaders of the Cameroon separatists' military wing. We find out more about the charges against the two men, and why Cam ... Show More
31m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
Can the Tour de France Femmes deliver?
Over its long history women have been mostly excluded from the Tour de France. Until recently.In 2022, after a long campaign by some of female cycling's biggest names, the Tour de France Femmes was introduced. So how is it doing? And will it ever be on a level footing with the mu ... Show More
17m 28s
Jun 2023
Biniam Girmay: Africa’s new cycling hero
On 1 July 2024, Biniam Girmay made history as the first black African rider to win a stage of cycling’s biggest race: the Tour de France. After a hard upbringing as one of six children in the Eritrean capital Asmara, he has become one of the most talented riders from the continen ... Show More
27m 37s
Jul 2023
Tour de France féminin 2023: portrait de quatre coureuses cyclistes
C'est une course cycliste qui n'en est qu'à sa deuxième édition mais qui suscite déjà l'enthousiasme au bord des routes et à la télévision, avec des pics d'audience à 2,5 millions de téléspectateurs. Le Tour de France féminin reste moins regardé que celui des messieurs mais il es ... Show More
4m 30s
Jul 2023
Introducing… Match of the Day Africa: Top 10
Four-time African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Touré, Africa Cup of Nations winner, Efan Ekoku, and former D.R. Congo captain, Gabriel Zakuani, debate all things African football in a new podcast from the BBC World Service, Match of The Day Africa: Top 10.   In each episode they’ ... Show More
39m 28s
Jul 2023
Introducing… Match of the Day Africa: Top 10
Four-time African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Touré, Africa Cup of Nations winner, Efan Ekoku, and former D.R. Congo captain, Gabriel Zakuani, debate all things African football in a new podcast from the BBC World Service, Match of The Day Africa: Top 10.   In each episode they’ ... Show More
39m 30s
Jan 2022
At long last, AFCON kicks off
On January 9, Africa began its biggest biennial football tournament: The Africa Cup of Nations. Postponed a year because of the pandemic, the tournament will pit 24 of the continent's top teams against each other over the course of one month in Cameroon. But despite the celebrato ... Show More
21m 2s
Oct 2023
South Africa win Rugby World Cup
South Africa's men's rugby team made history by winning a fourth World Cup title. How did they achieve it, and what does it mean for the nation and the African continent? A BBC investigation reveals that some school teachers in Kenya are still administering corporal punishment, d ... Show More
30m 59s
Jul 2022
Traditions iconiques - The Tour de France
Le Tour de France is a legendary bicycle race in France. But to cycling enthusiast Claire Floret, there’s something terribly wrong with it: women aren’t allowed to compete. So in order to make things right, she created a brand new cycling challenge. A transcript of this episode i ... Show More
23m 27s
Jul 2024
The Tour de France: A global money spinner
It is the biggest sporting event on the planet based on the millions of spectators who line roads for a fleeting view, but this year a shake up will mean the loss of the iconic Champs Elysees finish.We look at how a cycling race became a global money spinner - particularly for it ... Show More
17m 27s