Preparations towards Grand Prix Chantal Biya race underway

Preparations are underway towards the 2014 edition of the Grand Prix International Chantal Biya cycling race scheduled to take place from October 15 to 19.

The organising committee headed by the president of the Cameroon Cycling federation, Moustapha Dogo held the first preparatory meeting under the auspices of the Minister of Sports and Physical education over the weekend during the circuit of the race was made public.

As usual, the prologue of the race will take place at the 20th May Avenue to determine the bearer of the yellow jersey. The first lap of the race will be run between Yaounde and Bafia, while the second lap will take place between Yaounde and Ebolowa.

The third lap will be between Zoetele and Meyomessala passing through Sangmelima while the last lap will be run between Sangmelima and Yaounde.

It came out from the meeting that the various sub-committees have been working frantically to ensure the success of the event.

According to the president of the Cameroon cycling federation, they started preparing for the Grand Prix Chantal Biya immediately after the Cycling Tour of Cameroon.

In this vane, the federation organised the national championship last September 19, after which 26 cyclists were shortlisted to defend the national colours during the race.

The national cycling squad went in to a 21-day training camp expected to culminate with the commencement of the race on October 19. The team is training in Mbalmayo under the guidance of national trainer, Dieudonné Ntep, covering at least half of the race trajectory every day.

More so, two Cameroonians cyclists benefitted from a training camp in France in preparation for the event. Invitations have already been sent to interested parties with over a dozen foreign countries having confirmed their participation already.