VERA Adrian was Namibia’s best performer at the African Continental Cycling Championships which ended in Burkina Faso on Sunday, winning a bronze medal in the Elite Women’s Time Trial.

Ashleigh Moolman of South Africa won gold in a time of 29:20, while another South African, Anli Pretorius, finished 43 seconds behind to win the silver medal. Adrian finished 2:54 behind Moolman to claim the bronze medal.

Till Dröbisch narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the Under-23 Men’s Individual Time Trial. Tsgabu Grmay of Ethiopia won gold in 39:41, with Adel Barbari of Algeria winning silver, 43 seconds behind, and Natnael Berhane of Eritrea taking the bronze medal, 1:29 behind. Dröbisch finished fourth, a mere 16 seconds behind Berhane.

In the Men’s Junior Time Trial, Michael Pretorius finished eighth overall, 3:31 behind the winner, Abderrahmane Bechelaghem of Algeria.

The Elite Women’s Road Race was also won by Moolman in a time of 1:59:20, as she beat compatriot Anli Pretorius in a sprint to the line. Vera Adrian finished seventh overall, 7:37 behind the winner.

Michael Pretorius finished 12th overall in the junior Men’s Road Race, finishing 5:04 behind the winner, Abderahmane Bechelaghem of Algeria.

Namibia did not fare very well in the Elite Men’s Road Race which was won by Natnael Berhane of Eritrea in a time of 4:00:27.

Costa Seibeb withdrew due to a puncture, while Till Dröbisch and Gerhard Mans also failed to complete the race.

Lotto Petrus was the only Namibian to complete the race, finishing 58th overall, 23:20 behind the winner.

Namibia finished sixth overall in the Men’s Team Time Trial, with Eritrea winning gold, Tunisia silver and Algeria the bronze medal.

On completion of the championships, the African Cycling Confederation announced that Namibia would host the 2013 African Continental Championships.

With Namibian hosting the event next year, local cyclists are expected to give a better performance on their home ground.