Richard Laizer from Arusha made history on Sunday by becoming the first Tanzanian rider to compete in the Union Cycling International Cycling World Championships, which are being held this year in Zurich, Switzerland.
Born and still living in Arusha, the 35-year-old cyclist competed at the highest level in the world, a first for him and his country, by taking part in the time trial, which consisted of setting the best possible time, alone on your bike, over a 46.1-kilometre course.
Laizer finished 51st in the UCI race won by Olympic Champion Remco Evenepoel of Belgium. He set a time of 1hr07:11, covering the course at an average speed of 41.1 kilometers per hour.
“This is a big day for cycling in my country because we now know Tanzanian riders can make it!”, Laizer says. “This is just the beginning of the story. Today was like opening doors!”.
“I wanted to show what I can do, show the Tanzanian flag of my jersey and enjoy, which I did!”, Laize adds.
With his participation in the UCI World Championships, Laizer confirms his status as the greatest Tanzanian cyclist in history. He had already been the first rider from the country to sign a professional contract with the German-based African team Bike-Aid in 2015 and 2016.
A cyclist since he raced in a local race in Arusha with a single speed loaned by his uncle, in 2004 at the age of 15, Laizer has been crowned Tanzanian national champion multiple times.
A husband and father of three, Laizer rides for the Shifters Cycling Club in Arusha and works for Red Knot, a company that organizes sporting events such as trail runs and mountain bike rides on Mount Kilimanjaro and supports education-based initiatives in the areas of agriculture, livelihoods and sport.
Several individuals and organizations have provided Laizer with essential logistical support, including the US bicycle brand Trek and the professional team Lidl-Trek, which supplied one of the world’s best bikes, recently used by other champions in the Tour de France and at the Olympics in Paris.
Richard Laizer has also received key support from his long-time friend Nicola Morganti, chairman of the Italian non-profit organization Fundazione Acra, and from Swiss-based non-profit organizations Velafrica and Drahtesel.
The next UCI Road Cycling World Championships will take place from 21 to 28 September 2025 for the first time in history in an African city, Kigali, Rwanda.
Richard Laizer expects to take part in the 2025 event with better preparation and some more Tanzanian riders alongside him.
“I will continue to give inspiration to young boys and girls and my commitment into education through sport, but we now need some support from the Tanzanian governement”, says Laizer.
“Tanzanian cyclists definitely have the potential to shine at the Cycling World Championships and also at the Olympics!”.