Ouagadougou: AS Bessel rider Mahamadi Ilboudo won solo on Sunday, March 15 on Avenue Thomas Sankara, the 3rd edition of the Grand Prix Cycliste de la Resilience de la Paix.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Mahamadi Ilboudo calmly crossed the finish line ahead of Moukaila Rawende of the same club, completing the 127.5km in 3h 11mn 56 seconds, an average speed of 39.857km/h. While Ilboudo wasn't among the frontrunners at the start of the 81-rider race, Moukaila Rawende (Bessel), among others, and Saturnin Yameogo (AJCK) were the most prominent in animating the race. Moukaila Rawende, who was in a breakaway group, launched a solo attack two laps from the finish.

He hadn't even finished the circuit before being caught by the peloton, which had stayed together for a while, before Mahamadi Ilboudo broke away to overtake everyone and win the race. He succeeds Rachid Bouda and takes home one million FCFA, the trophy, and the yellow jersey. The first three finishers were from AS Bessel (Moukaila Rawende and Mouni Vincent completed the top three).

'Before the start, the coach told us we could sweep the top three spots. We believed it. As soon as the breakaway formed, I knew victory was within our grasp. Despite the heat, our intensive training in the sun made all the difference,' explained the day's champion, Mahamadi Ilboudo.

The women also competed on the same circuit along Avenue Thomas Sankara (5.1km to be covered 6 times), for a total distance of 36.6km. USFA rider Awa Bamogo won the race, taking home the trophy and the yellow jersey, along with 500,000 FCFA.

The goal of this edition was to prepare athletes for the upcoming events of the season while promoting cycling in Burkina Faso. For Tidiane Barry, Managing Director of the mining company IAMGOLD Essakane, the public's enthusiasm is a sign of success. "Seeing this turnout and enthusiasm encourages us to continue this initiative for the good of cycling," he stated.

The Minister of Sports, Youth and Employment, Annick Pikbougoum, who is also the head of the competition, praised the initiative. She emphasized the importance of the women's race in preparation for upcoming events. "It's a great event that allows us to prepare our athletes, especially the girls, for the first edition of the Women's Tour.