Veteran South African rider Jean Spies won another African men’s keirin title, his 37th continental title in all, with a dominant performance in Abuja, Nigeria.

The 36 year old double-Olympian was drawn in position one for the final – and never surrendered first place, as riders competed for podium places behind.

At the line, it was Spies ahead of Algeria’s Mohamed Najib Assal, with South Africa’s Tshila Munyai taking bronze, as he did in Cairo a year ago.

Spies told Bicycling.co.za he thought his career was ‘done’ after the Paris Olympics, but was motivated to continue by the prospective launch of DerbyWheel – and the chance to finally earn some money, after years of sacrifice.

He participated in a number of events in Europe at the end of last year, and reclaimed his South African national title in Cape Town a few weeks ago.