Cycling Tour of Cameroon Itinerary Changed

The race caravan will no longer go to the three northern regions because of fears over insecurity.

Following an injunction from the International Cycling Union, the Cycling Tour of Cameroon will longer go to the three northern Regions owing to security concerns. The race which was initially scheduled to begin in Maroua on March 9, will now kick off but in Ebolowa on the same date.

Commenting on the issue the secretary General of the Cameroon Cycling federation, Bruno Elomo, said the change of itinerary was to please the foreign competitors and due to the fact that most roads in the northern region are under reconstruction since Cameroonian authorities had guaranteed the security of the caravan all over the national territory.

The race covering a total distance of 1073.5 kilometres will five of the ten regions of Cameroon namely; Centre, South, Littoral, South West and West. The first of the eight-lap-race will be run between Ebolowa and Yaounde. The second lap will take place the next day between Pouma and Kribi. Tuesday March 11, will be a day of rest in Kribi. The third lap between Kribi and Douala will take place on March 12.

The fourth lap will be run from Douala to Buea passing through Limbe. The fifth lap will take place between Mbanga and Bafang. Melong-Dschang-Bafoussam will constitute the 6th lap of the race and there will be a second day of rest in Bafoussam on Sunday Match 16. The 7th and 8th laps comprise Bangangte-Bafia and Bafia-Yaounde. The race will be supervised by Belgian born Jean Pierre Coppenolle who was designated by ICU as president of the jury.

Meanwhile six European clubs have already confirmed their participation in the race namely; Selection d'Auvergne of France, CK Banska Bystrica of Slovakia, Global Cycling of the Netherlands, Bike Aid of Germany, Meubles Descartes Loup Sport of Switzerland and Club de la Defense of France.

In Africa, the national teams of Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Senegal and Congo Brazzaville. Cameroon will be represented in the competition by three teams; SNH Velo club, Selection du Centre and Selection Interregionale. Quizzed on the suspension of Yves Ngue Ngock, the Secretary General said they were in contact with SNH Velo Club in view of having the suspension lifted to enable him take part in the race.

On the thorny issue of a repeat of elections in the federation, Bruno Elomo said the statutes of the federation have been revised according to the prescriptions of the ICU and that a general assembly will be convened after the Tour of Cameroon to adopt the statutes before convening an elective general assembly.