Cyclists who are taking part in this year’s Cowbell National tour have heated up
after the first stage from Accra to Mankessim which saw hot favourite Samuel Anim of
Young Stars sweeping the awards and the enviable yellow jersey.
Anim took the 103 kilometers race so easy, leaving other cyclists who targeted him
from the starting point panting for breath while he smiled and answered questions
from spectators and the media.
He took the red, green and yellow jerseys representing best fighter, best by points
and best by time.
Though his time was slower at 40 kilometers per hour as compared to last year’s 36
kilometers per hour, he said the race had just began and he hopes to do better.
Kwadwo Asamoah, Communications Manager of Promasidor, producers of Cowbell products
said the cyclists have more to win if they perform well.
He hinted that there are prizes in the forms of Cowbell products, trophies and cash
at the end of each race, and prayed that one day some of them will compete at the
World Championships or Olympic Games.
He noted that so long as Promasidor exists in Ghana, the national cycling tour has
come to stay. He adviced the cyclists to demonstrate sportsmanship during the
competition and obey instructions from traffic directors.
The 13 days tour started in Accra May 27, 2013 to Mankessim in the Central region,
and transport to Cape Coast. The cyclists will race from Cape Coast to Takoradi in
the Western region and back, before moving from Assin Fosu to the Ashanti region
capital, Kumasi on May 29.
The race will move on from the Garden City to Sunyani on May 30 and to Tamale in the
north. There would be a race around the Tamale Metropolis on June 1st before moving
to Buipe, Kintampo and Techiman where there would be a Publicity ride on June 2.
The race moves back to Kumasi on June 3 and display in the Garden City on June 4,
before being transported to Koforidua, through Mamfe, Adukrom and back to Koforidua.
From the Eastern region capital of Koforidua, the race moves to Ada, through Dodze,
Denu in the Volta region, and back to Ada on June 7. From Ada the convoy will race
to Tema and to the finishing line in Accra on June 8.
72 professional cyclists are representing 12 teams to vie for honours. Some of the
teams are All Stars, Die Hard, City Migro, HM, River Park of Accra, Kumasi and
Sekondi / Takoradi, Victory of Cape Coast and Young Stars.
Olivier Thiry, Managing Director of Promasidor said his company was sponsoring the
event for 780,000.00 Ghana Cedis, which is an improvement upon last year’s package
of 519,378.00 Ghana Cedis and in 2011 when they spent 492,500.00 Ghana Cedis.
He announced that next year’s event would take an international flavor with the
invitation of cyclists from Togo and Burkina Faso.
He said Cowbell promotes nutrition, clean environment and the encouragement to ride
on bikes which is sporty and economical.
Fabrice Parodat, Managing Director of Pens & Plastics Ghana Ltd advised the cyclists
to display fairness, be disciplined and prove to be good sportsmen.
Some companies supporting the 2013 Cowbell National Cycling Tour are Pens &
Plastics: producers of BIC, Global Outdoor, DDP, TV3 and the Multi Media Group.
