Ouagadougou – The International Cycling Tour of Faso is set to commence tomorrow on the roads of Burkina Faso.
According to a new release by the Burkina Information Agency, the country’s hopes for winning the competition’s yellow jersey rest on cyclist Paul Daumont.
Martin Sawadogo, the National Technical Director (DTN), stated that based on the African Cycling Confederation (CAC) ranking, Paul Daumont is considered the favorite for the yellow jersey. Sawadogo emphasized that the competition is not just about earning the yellow jersey in the initial stages but maintaining it throughout. “Endurance, speed, resistance,” have been the focus of their training, he said.
Veteran cyclist Harouna Ilboudo and Souleymane Koné were also mentioned as notable contenders. According to Sawadogo, there is no favored cyclist; the most decisive cyclist will take the lead.
The cyclists have undergone extensive preparation, including participation in international competitions such as the Tropical Amissa Bongo, the Tour of Benin, and the Tour of Cameroon, among others. The competition will feature 12 participating countries and cover a distance of 1207.8 km in 10 stages.
Paul Daumont began his career in 2017 and has previously won the Tours of Ivory Coast in 2019 and Benin in 2021. He also has two bronze medals from the African road racing championships and is a four-time stage winner at the Tour of Cameroon. The last Tour du Faso yellow jersey win for Burkina Faso was in 2018 by Mathias Sorgho.