Annang wins Tour d'Accra

Joseph Annang of Total Cycling Club won the seventh Tour d' Accra Cycling Race organised by the Ghana Cycling Association in conjunction with the French Embassy in Accra on Saturday, with a time of one hour, 20 minutes.

He was followed closely by Emmanuel Wayo of All Stars Cycling Club while Henry Dzangmah of River Park was third.

The competition, which was keenly contested, attracted 36 cyclists from six clubs in Accra, River Park, Total, Fire Bonch, All Stars, Young Stars and City Micro.

The race, which covered 50 kilometres in 15 laps, started from the Osu Gate of the Accra Sports Stadium, through the Ministries, Ridge Church School, Accra International Conference Centre, Osu Cemetery Road, ending at the Osu Gate.

Prior to the race, the cyclists went on a 75-kilometre publicity tour through some principal streets.

At the end of the first lap, Joseph Annang, who is also the Captain of the National Team, gave a clear indication of carrying the day when he broke away with Emmanuel Wayo, who was tipped to win in hot pursuit.

The pack caught up with Annang during fourth and fifth laps with Wayo also breaking away.

Annang however shot back into the lead in the ninth lap and maintained the position to the finishing with Wayo in a hot chase to the finishing line. The event was well organised but there was no first aid for injured cyclists, who had to fend for themselves.

In an interview with the GNA, the winner, said the race was not as difficult as he had envisaged because "I have been training seriously of late, sometimes I cover a distance of 160 kilometres so the 50 kilometres to me, was just peanut".

Martey Hammond of Fire Bonch, winner of the race two years ago, who placed 10th, however, said it was more strenuous than he had anticipated and promised to train harder to "reclaim my title".

Colonel George Brock, Acting Chief Executive of the National Sports Council, commended the French Embassy for sponsoring the event and advised the cyclists to desist from taking performance enhancing drugs, which could destroy their future.

Madamme Michele Zwang Graillof, Counsellor for Co-operation and Cultural Affairs of the Embassy, pledged continuous assistance for cycling and sports in general under the French and Ghana Co-operation.

The winner received 200 thousand cedis and a trophy, while the second and third had 170 and 150 thousand cedis respectively. Sule Jaraah, 18, received a trophy for being the youngest participant.