ECOWAS Tour at flag off at National Stadium Wednesday

Salpo Bikienga of Burkina Faso Wednesday emerged the winner of the first stage of the ECOWAS International Cycling tour.

To emerge winner, the Burkinabe clocked two hours, 59 minutes, 12 seconds over 117 kilometres distance of the race that flagged off at the National Stadium, Lagos.

He was followed in the second position by Ivorian, Konte Bashiru who posted two hours, 59 minutes, 13 seconds.

Another Burkina Faso cyclist, Bamogo Saidu also returned in two hours, 59. 13 seconds to place third.

It was also the Burkinabe who topped in the race. Bikienga also won the Yellow Jersey of the first stage.

Earlier, Wednesday at the flag off of the 2nd ECOWAS Cycling Tour in Lagos, the Director of Youth and Sports Development Centre of ECOWAS, Mr Francis Njoguani, had commended all the 14 countries that converged on Lagos for the start of the race.

He said that the Commission had firm assurances and commitment of member-nations to make the event a resounding success.

“The beauty of the race will be that the police, immigration and road safety and other relevant security outfits of each of the participating countries will have levels of involvement to make the race a memorable one.”

The race which is to cover a distance of 450 kilometres will go over four stages -- Lagos-Cotonou, Cotonou-Lome, Ada-Accra and Abuaso-Abidjan.