Sunyani (Greater Accra) - A 25-year-old popular cyclist, Felix Kyere of Berekum, on Saturday rode home comfortably in two hours 46.02 seconds to win the 42 kilometres race from Sunyani to Berekum and back in an Independence Day Anniversary cycling competition.

The competition, organized by Brong-Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council in conjunction with the Regional Sports Council and River Park Cycling Club of Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Tano District was part of a week-long activities to mark the 46th anniversary of Ghana's Independence which falls on Thursday. Twenty-two participants, including two Accra-based cyclists took part in the race.

With his wealth of experience in previous competitions, Kyere, a former student of Berekum Senior Secondary School, shot into the lead right from the starter's signal at 07:45 hours and never looked back, notwithstanding the neck-to-neck opposition he had from other equally crack riders.

Hundreds of people in the various towns and villages lined the route cheering the youthful riders.

The street ramps at Fiapre and Nsoatre temporarily impeded Kyere's speed and this made 16-year-old Master Kwaku Oppong, a Junior Secondary School Form Two student of Hope Preparatory School in Sunyani to catch up with him at a point.

The experienced Kyere, however, exhibited dexterity and romped home amid loud cheers from fans. Oppong, the youngest participant and who placed second in two hours 47.02 seconds, received the loudest cheers as he was accorded a standing ovation by fans at the finishing point located behind the Coronation Park in Sunyani.

Kwaku Nsiah Lumartey of Duayaw-Nkwanta placed third, while 19 year old debutant, Frank Asiedu of Sunyani took the fourth position. Addressing the participants after the race, Messrs Peter B. Bonna, Brong-Ahafo Regional Physical Education Officer of the Ghana Education Service, Shaaban Mohammed, member of the Greater Accra Cyclist Association and Kingsley Abroquah of the Sunyani District office of GES in-charge of sports, commended them for their high competitive spirit.