The 2013 Cowbell National Cycling Tour of Ghana has been launched last Wednesday at the plush La Palm Hotel in Accra by the Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Joseph Yamen.

The 13 days tour will start in Accra on May 27, 2013 to Mankessim, and transport to Cape Coast. Then race from Cape Coast to Takoradi and back, before moving from Assin Fosu to Kumasi on May 29.

The race will move on from the Garden City to Sunyani on May 30 and to Tamale in the north. There would be a race around the Tamale Metropolis on June 1st before moving to Buipe, Kintampo and Techiman where there would be a Publicity ride on June 2.

The race moves back to Kumasi on June 3 and display in the Garden City on June 4, before being transported to Koforidua, through Mamfe, Adukrom and back to Koforidua.

From the Flower City of Koforidua, the race moves to Ada, through Dodze, Denu, and back to Ada on June 7. From Ada the convoy will race to Tema and to the finishing line on June 8.

According to the organisers, Promasidor, producers of Cowbell, there would be prizes for all stages and winners can take home golden cups and other fantastic rewards. The yellow jersey (overall winner) would carry home a whooping 7,000 Ghana Cedis.

72 professional cyclists would represent 12 teams to vie for honours.

Olivier Thiry, Managing Director of Promasidor said his company was sponsoring the event for 780,000.00 Ghana Cedis, which is an improvement upon last year’s package of 519,378.00 Ghana Cedis and in 2011 when they spent 492,500.00 Ghana Cedis.

He announced that next year’s event would take an international flavor with the invitation of cyclists from Togo and Burkina Faso.

He said Cowbell promotes nutrition, clean environment and the encouragement to ride on bikes which is sporty and economical.

Fabrice Parodat, Managing Director of Pens & Plastics Ghana Ltd advised the cyclists to display fairness, be disciplined and prove to be sportsmen.

Some companies supporting the 2013 Cowbell National Cycling Tour are Pens & Plastics: producers of BIC, Global Outdoor, DDP, TV3 and the Multi Media Group.

Kwadwo Asamoah, the Communications Manager of Promasidor urged the media to be part of the tour and experience the endurance of the cyclists. He hoped Ghana may be represented by some of them at the Olympic Games or World Championships.