OUAGADOUGOU: Russian cyclist Anton Popov clinched victory in the third stage of the Tour du Faso on Sunday, edging out Belgian competitor Yxano Smet in a tightly contested sprint finish. Despite Popov’s stage win, Moroccan rider El Kouraji Mohcine successfully maintained his hold on the yellow jersey, a position he secured during the race’s initial stage.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the race commenced with 59 riders departing from Ouagadougou, setting their sights on the Centre-West capital. The course featured two significant sprint points, at Kokologho (40.2 km mark) and Poa (65.7 km mark). The peloton largely stayed together until the first intermediate sprint, which was claimed by Burkinabe cyclist Daouda Soulama, with Russian Nikita Martinov trailing closely behind.
Throughout the race, the Moroccan team exerted control, particularly focusing on managing Burkinabe Bamassi Soulama, who remains a mere two seconds behind the yellow jersey. During the second intermediate sprint in Poa, Russian
cyclist Stash Mamyr took the lead, followed by Dutch rider Tom Wijfje and Malian Yaya Diallo. As the race neared its conclusion, a group of 11 cyclists, including three Burkinabe, broke away, establishing a lead of nearly a minute.
Ultimately, it was Anton Popov who surged ahead in the final 30 meters to claim victory, completing the stage in 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 3 seconds, with an average speed of 44.505 km/h. Mohcine, the green jersey holder, finished in fourth place, while his compatriot in the yellow jersey crossed the line in 20th position. The top Burkinabe finisher, Mohammadi Ilboudo, secured seventh place. Mohcine continues to lead the overall standings, ahead of fellow Moroccans El Alouani Driss and El Arbaoui Adil, by 8 and 9 seconds, respectively. Burkinabe Bamassi Soulama remains fourth, 2 minutes and 8 seconds behind the leader.
The Tour du Faso progresses with its fourth stage, spanning 129.1 kilometers from Réo to Boromo, scheduled for Monday, October 28.