Russian cyclist Anton Popov won the 3rd stage of the Tour du Faso in a sprint on Sunday ahead of Belgian Yxano Smet, but Moroccan El Kouraji Mohcine retained his yellow jersey acquired since the first stage.
59 riders set off in Ouagadougou for the capital of the Centre-West with two hot spots on the route: Kokologho (km 40.2) and Poa after 65.7km of racing. The peloton remained grouped for a long time before tackling the first intermediate sprint won by Burkinabe Daouda Soulama ahead of Russian Nikita Martinov.
At the end of this hot spot, still no exit voucher for some riders who hesitate. The Moroccans in yellow control the race and especially the Burkinabe Bamassi Soulama who totals more than 2 seconds on the yellow jersey.
At the second intermediate sprint of Poa, it is the Russian Stash Mamyr who raises the tone and takes the bonus. He is followed by the Dutchman Tom Wijfje and one of the best Malians of the Tour Yaya Diallo. 10 from the finish line, 11 men including 3 Burkinabe take the key to the
fields. They widen their gap by almost a minute.
But it was the Russian Anton Popov, who had been shy until then, who beat his competitors in the last 30m. He won in 2h 18mn 03 seconds, an average speed of 44.505km/h. The Moroccan, holder of the green jersey, came in 4th while his compatriot in yellow crossed the line in 20th place. The first Burkinabe of this stage, Mohammadi Ilboudo, came in 7thMoroccan El Kouraji Mohcine therefore keeps his yellow jersey ahead of his two other compatriots El Alouani Driss (8 seconds behind) and El Arbaoui Adil (9 seconds behind). Burkinabe Bamassi Soulama is still 4th, 2mn08 sec from yellow.
The 4th stage Réo – Boromo (129.100km) will be run this Monday, October 28.
Source: Burkina Information Agency