Constructor wins Stage 7 of 2013 Cowbell National Cycling Tour
Joseph Kudakpo of Die Hard Cycling club spotting the number 02 shirt rode home with ease from Techiman to Kumasi to be crowned as the new gold medal winner of the ongoing 2013 Cowbell National Cycling Tour.
He took an early lead to break away from the 61 cyclists who are vying for recognition and rewards in the attractive event. Emmanuel Sackey of All Stars won the silver medal, with Young Stars’ Nyameke Festus taking the bronze medal. They were all awarded cash prizes and hampers from Promasidor Ghana Ltd and Pens & Plastics Ghana Ltd, the sponsors of the popular National Tour.
Kudakpo told yours truly he had an easy race and as a sprinter, once he took the lead, it will be difficult for anyone to chase him, let alone overtake him on the 117 kilometers distance.
He noted that he did not got it right in the early stages of the race from Accra to Mankessim and Takoradi, then to Tamale, but he has got his rhythm and hopes to give the previous winner a run for their money.
According to the experienced Kudakpo, he had a smooth ride with no struggles and commended his team mates, especially Tetteh Djangmah for supporting him to become the winner.
The captain of Die Hard club based at Dome in Accra, who is also a building constructor, hinted that they have trained enough for the competition and their best is yet to come.
“We want all out fans and supporters in and around Dome to pray for us to win the 2013 edition of the Cowbell National Tour, and we promise to bring home plenty Cowbell products” he stressed.
Young Stars’ Isaac Sackey and Samuel Anim maintained their yellow and Green and Red jerseys, with Captain of All Stars retaining the Blue jersey and young Frank Awuku Akuffo taking back the white jersey.
All the 61 cyclists finished the race with an average speed of 38.1 kilometers per hour, compared to 36.7 kilometers per hour last year.
Kudakpo made a time of 3 hours, 4 minutes and 15 seconds to throw a challenge to other cyclists winning the best by time and points.
The 2013 Cowbell Tour will shake the Garden City with the eighth stage 98.4 kilometer criterion race that starts and ends at the Labour Roundabout.
Most of the Tour officials believe the yellow jersey winner may change if Isaac Sackey does not improve on his time. So far, the policemen guiding the cyclists and contolling traffic have shown high level of professionalism and it is expected that they will do a better job till the tour ends on June 8, 2013.
