15 teams from 13 countries including CSK Moscow (Russia) have confirmed their participation in the 35th edition of the Tour International du Faso, the National Organizing Committee announced Thursday in Ouagadougou during a press conference.
9 African countries including Benin, Burkina Faso (with three teams), Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal and 3 European countries including Belgium, Russia, Holland will be on the starting line for the 35th edition of the Tour du Faso.
The cyclists will cross 10 regions of Burkina Faso for 10 stages. The 1st stage (Koulbila – Tenkodogo 136 km) is scheduled for October 25 and the 2nd stage Koupéla-Ziniaré (120.600 km) will be run the following day. The 3rd stage, Ouagadougou-Koudougou 102.400 km long is scheduled for October 27, while the riders will start for the 4th stage (Réo – Boromo 129.100 km) on October 28.
Stage 5, Bobo-Banfora (85.5 km), the shortest of the route, will be held on October 29 and the 6th stage (a criterium) wil
l be covered on October 30 in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso. Stage 7 between Bobo and Pa (130.800 km) will be held on October 31. The 8th stage will be held on November 1 between Ouaga and Yako (116.800 km), while the longest stage of the Tour will be between Kombissiri and Kaya (148.800 km). The last stage between Boussé and Ouagadougou, with a criterium in the Burkinabe capital (119.8 km) will be held on November 2. The race distance is 1196.800 km and the transhipment distance is 949 km, making a total distance of 2145.800 km.
‘The organizing committee is working tirelessly to make this 35th edition the best.
The national context, marked by the gradual reconquest of our territory, is one of the reasons for our commitment and determination to succeed in this Tour du Faso, for the honor and image of our country. We must prove, once again, the resilience of Burkina Faso in the face of current challenges,” declared the Permanent Secretary of the Tour Joseph Poda.
Burkina Faso wants to keep its yellow jersey wi
thout its champion Paul Daumont
The Burkina Faso Cycling Stallions intend to keep their yellow jersey acquired last year with Paul Daumont. According to the national technical director of the Burkinabe Cycling Federation Martin Sawadogo, the three Burkinabe teams have had a substantial preparation to be able to keep the yellow jersey, the most coveted of the Tour.
“Paul Daumont is absent but we also have riders capable of going for the yellow jersey. There is Moukaila Rawendé, Mouni Vincent and many other riders who can make the difference,” said Martin Sawadogo.
Several countries including South Africa, Algeria, France (…) had been invited but will not be able to attend for various reasons.
In the Tour du Faso rankings, Burkina Faso is in the lead with 16 yellow jerseys, followed by Morocco (with 6 jerseys), France (3 jerseys), Germany (2 jerseys), Belgium (2 jerseys), Holland (2 jerseys), Ukraine (1 jersey), Egypt (1 jersey), Russia (1 jersey), Angola (1 jersey).
Russia is therefore making its return t
o the Tour International du Faso since 1987. It was the Russian rider Igor Luchinko who won the first edition in the history of the Tour du Faso.
Source: Burkina Information Agency