…Tamale Cycling Fans delighted at Cowbell Promotions

Seven cyclists have been debarred from continuing the on- going Cowbell National Cycling Tour of Ghana 2013 after the fourth stage due to technical reasons.

According to the Technical Director of the Ghana Cycling Federation, Shaaban Mohammed, they were disqualified on many basis, such as due to lack of fitness to continue, injury or swept away for not moving at the pace of the bunch of riders.

He named them as Abubakari Amadu of River Park- Kumasi, Obimpeh Godsway, Walid Mohammed and Richard Nartey of Volta Stars- Ho, Agyekum Kojo, Joshua Parker Allotey and John Ofori of Gutten Cycling Club- Accra.

This has left their teams with the dilemma to fight and force very hard to win team points and be able to win an award.

Godsway Obimpeh told yours truly the race was very competitive and could not march the pace of the fit cyclists. He noted that most of his team mates were not fully prepared because most of them have fallen out too early when they have not yet reached the Volta Region where they hoped to be cheered and they can move forward to spring a surprise.

He expressed that he was disqualified for being late in getting to the finishing line as he had a puncture on his tyre and took some time to fix it.

According to the Volta Stars cyclist, he was happy to be part of the 2013 Tour even though he could not get to the money zone.

He however praised the Ghana Cycling Federation, Promasidor Ghana Limited and the officials for organizing the event.

“I promise to be back stronger next year” he said.

Meanwhile, all those participating in the Tour have expressed their happiness and wish everything goes on well as planned.

Christian Ankrah of River Park- Accra who formerly raced for City Migro Club has also thanked the Medics from the National Ambulance on the Tour.

After he fell in Sunyani together with the champion rider Samuel Anim, he was treated and has recovered. With bruises on his shoulders and knees, he stressed that he is never prepared to stop until the final lap to Accra.

“I want my fans to pray for me. I will never disappoint them. I am very fit and I promise to go all out till the 8th of June and be among those who completed the Tour” he said.

Ankrak who resides in Abeka Lapaz in Accra hinted that it was a nasty speed rump that halted him and he summersaulted from his bike, but as a rider and determined person, he did not come to the competition for fun and he is ever ready to do his best and possibly be selected into the national team. He commended Samuel Anim for also falling and moving on to win the event from Kumasi to Sunyani.

He appealed to road constructors to work on time and do the roads well as it is not only vehicles that use it but cyclists also use it as well as pedestrians and motor bikes.

At the time of filing this report, the entire Tour team have arrived in Tamale and preparing for a wonderful show. The excitement was not massive in Sunyani as compared to Mankessim, Takoradi, Assin Fosu and Kumasi.

In Tamale, the riders displayed their skill and speed to the delight of fans.

By Sammy Heywood Okine