For the first time in the long history of cycling, a cyclist from Tanzania took part in the UCI Road World Championships. Richard Laizer, 35, completed the 46km elite individual time trial on Sunday 22 September.
This milestone in his personal history also opens a new chapter for Tanzanian and international cycling. This chapter has been written thanks to great personal commitment, long-standing relationships, passion for the sport and fair play. This participation was made possible by the close and personal relationship that has existed for many years between Nicola Morganti, Velafrica, the cycling community and the Tanzanian Cycling Federation – and the UCI World Tour Team Lidl-Trek.
Richard Laizer at the UCI Road World Championships
While Nicola Morganti, the advisory board member from Velafrica, took on the role of team manager for one race and Velafrica helped with logistics and organisation, the two professional mechanics Björn Fischer and Tobias Gnos from Drahtesel formed the technical team. The Lidl Trek team provided Richard Laizer’s bike and other equipment.
Richard Laizer and Nicola Morganti at the handover of the race bike from Lidl-Trek for the UCI Road World Championship
Working together to promote cycling in Tanzania
The connection between Richard Laizer and Velafrica goes back a long way. As a member of the local Arusha Cycling Club, Laizer was instrumental in establishing Velafrica’s second partner company in Tanzania, Arusha Bicycle Company Limited ABC (formerly Arusha Bicycle Centre), in 2015. ABC brings together various bicycle-related activities.
The social enterprise has made a name for itself as a reliable source of bicycles and repairs. ABC is also involved in mobility programmes such as ‘Bike to School‘ and trains young people in bicycle mechanics. The company also invests in promoting cycling: Laizer himself is involved with ABC as a trainer for future professional cyclists.
