Daniel Teklehaimanot has been selected as the African Rider of the Year by the organizers of La Tropicale Bongo. In the voting, he beat his teammate Louis Meintjes and Tunisian Rafaâ Chtioui. The award goes to a rider who has put African cycling in the spotlight.

Teklehaimanot mainly earned the award with his attractive riding style in the Tour de France where he was also the first dark African to take the start. He was the first rider down the ramp at the Grand Départ in Utrecht. He was in the early break in stages six, seven, sixteen and nineteen and took the mountains jersey after the seventh stage. Earlier in the year he won the mountains classification at the Critérium du Dauphiné and he also won gold in the time trial at the African continental championships. A total of 20 riders were nominated for the title.

Result African Rider of the Year 2015
1. Daniel Teklehaimanot (MTN-Qhubeka) 
2. Louis Meintjes (MTN-Qhubeka) 
2. Rafaâ Chtioui (Skydive Dubai-Al Ahli)

Previous winners
2012: Natnael Berhane (Europcar) 
2013: Louis Meintjes (MTN-Qhubeka) 
2014: Mekseb Debesay (Aid Bike Ride for Help)