Grand Prix Chantal Biya: Abelouache Essaid wins yellow jersey

He came first in the prologue of the race which took place on Wednesday in Yaounde.

In their maiden participation at the Grand Prix International Chantal Biya, the Moroccans have demonstrated that they mean business by winning the prologue of the race.

The warning signal was sent for Morocco by Abelouache Essaid, who won the criterium run on the 20th May boulevard in Yaounde yesterday and will therefore be putting on the yellow jersey of the leader of the race on the first lap of the race today.

Only one Cameroonian, Kamzong Abessolo, qualified for the final of the prologue after six qualifying series. However all the cyclists will begin on the same footing as the time record won’t be taken into consideration. The prologue on the race was presided over by the Secretary General at the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, Samuel Wonyu representing the Minister.

Prior to the kick off of the race, a minute of silence was observed in honour of the fallen president of the federation, Moustapha Dogo and the departed mother of the matron of the race Rose Mboutchouang.

The spectra of Moustapha Dogo hung everywhere as besides an enlarged picture that was placed near the podium, were banners flouting in homage to him. The ceremony was graced by presentations from the comedian, Edoudoua Non Glacé, a juggler on a one wheel cycle and musical animation. A mammoth crowd also turned out to witness the event.

Six jerseys are up for grab in the competition. They are the yellow jersey of the winner of the race, the green jersey for the first on the individual classification chart, the white dotted red jersey for the eventual best climber of the race. There is also the white jersey reserved for the best youth and the rose-coloured jersey that will be given to the various lap winners.

The race proper begins today with the first lap to be run between Yaounde and Bafia covering a total distance of 122.7 kilometres. The race course is fairly flat though undulating and will be favourable to sprinters and not climbers.