Benin cycling: Ricardo Sodjèdé and Hermione Ahouissou retain their national titles
Ricardo Sodjèdé and Hermione Ahouissou both successfully defended their titles at Benin's national cycling championships.
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A win for perseverance and self-sacrifice. Ricardo Sodjèdé has achieved his dream of following up his own title with another. The young SAS Vélo Club rider won the national cycling championship on Sunday 22 June 2025 in Covè. Ricardo made the most of his understanding with certain riders, such as Rémi Sowou, to take the win. Riders had to cover a distance of 164.17 km. It was all decided in the closing kilometres, where the SAS Vélo Club rider went to the front of the race, wearing down his rivals, who were forced to chase regularly.
Ricardo Sodjèdé took advantage to complete the race in 4h 37min 19sec, an average speed of 35.51 km/h. "I prepared a lot for this. I tried in my own way to do everything to keep my title. It wasn't easy because the level was very high. Rémi Sowou was in good form too. We had to try a two-man breakaway after the 40 km mark. In the finish, I knew I would have to defend to win," said Ricardo Sodjèdé, who also shone in the men's elite time trial, finishing first.
Hermione Ahouissou, queen of the 2025 season
TURBO Vélo Club rider Hermione Ahouissou won the women's elite race tactically to retain her title. In the junior category, Georgette Vignonfodo won ahead of Melvina Tankpinou of Zoum Zoum Vélo Club. As for Charlotte Mètoévi, the U23 champion, her exceptional performance drew everyone's attention. Racing in a lower category (U23), the Zoom-Zoum Vélo Club rider showed endurance and determination.
To everyone's surprise, she dominated not only her own category but also the higher categories, in both the time trial and the road race. It was a remarkable double that earned praise and captured attention. To encourage her display and reward her efforts, a special prize was presented to her by Romuald Hazoumè, president of the Benin Cycling Federation (FBC), as both recognition and motivation.
"I'm so happy with this title. I'd already ridden the circuit once and I knew it would be a bit difficult for me because I'm not very good on the climbs. But when we started, I managed the final sprint well. I know myself and I know at what point I can launch the sprint and finish first," said Charlotte Mètoévi.
Senior officials unanimous in their satisfaction
There were exceptional performances during these 2025 national cycling championships. They gave the leading figures of cycling in Benin plenty to be pleased about. "I think the championship is very important for Beninese cyclists. It earns UCI points. After that, it's possible that Benin will climb the African rankings. It's good preparation ahead of the two major competitions coming up: the World Championships and the African Championships. It's an opportunity to select the best. The level of all the riders has risen. I think it's the first time I've seen Ricardo Sodjèdé do 18 km and 36 km in 26 minutes, which is very good," said Adrien Niyonshuti, coach of Benin's national cycling team.
"I'm very satisfied with the results because I believe the riders, after six years of hard work, have started to understand what is at stake in world cycling, which we are subject to. That is, you have to deliver results. And results already show at the championships. If you see what Charlotte Mètoévi has done this year, it's no longer a joke. There is motivation there," said Romuald Hazoumè, president of the Benin Cycling Federation.