On May 24, the 30th International Togo Cycling Tour came to a close in Lomé after more than a week of intense racing. The event's challenging course crossed the country from north to south, with participants covering an impressive distance of 1,033.6 km across various landscapes and terrains.
This milestone edition saw the participation of teams from nine countries, including Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Algeria, and France. The hosts, Togo, were represented by two teams: "Togo A" and "Togo B." Reporters from African Initiative witnessed the vibrant atmosphere during the final stage held in the Togolese capital.
Touring Across Togo
The race kicked off on May 16 in Kara, in northern Togo, and unfolded across nine demanding stages, each with its own unique features and challenges. The coveted yellow jersey, a symbol of leadership in cycling races, changed shoulders several times during the opening stages, with strong performances from Saturnin Yameogo and Rasid Bouda (both from Burkina Faso), Malian cyclist Yaya Diallo, and France's Julien Amadori. On the eighth stage, Côte d'Ivoire's Ande Kuadio Emmanuel Adebayor seized the leader's jersey.
Organized by the Togolese Cycling Federation (FTC) and supported by the Togolese government, the tour was funded with a grant of 15 million West African CFA francs from the Ministry of Sports and Leisure.
Final Stage in Lomé A Coastal Circuit
The last leg of the race was a circuit around "Boulevard de la République," running alongside the Atlantic coast for 103 kilometers. Early in the day, police blocked access to the boulevard with metal barriers, construction equipment, and gendarmerie patrols to ensure security and smooth racing. Cyclists were escorted by a convoy carrying the event's insignia, with a police motorcycle leading the way and an ambulance bringing up the rear.
Corporate Support From Oil and Brewing Industries
The finish line was set up next to the gates of Togo's Ministry of Sports and Leisure, highlighting the government's involvement in organizing the event. Spectators gathered near the final arch, where the commentary booth, organizers' buses, plenty of refreshment stands, and sponsor banners (including Togo Oil Company and Castel Beer, the latter also operating breweries in Cameroon) created a festive setting. Photographers and TV crews in high-visibility vests took prime positions mid-boulevard for the best shots, while enthusiastic fans lined "Boulevard de la République," calling out to riders and cheering them on. More relaxed onlookers found shade on stone benches under palm trees, with the Atlantic waves audible in the background.
Burkina Faso Dominates the Podium
The final stage's prestigious victory went to Sumaila Ilboudo of Burkina Faso, who narrowly beat France's Julien Amadori and Mali's Djandouba to the finish. Burkina Faso's team dominated the team ranking as well, securing victory in four of the nine stages and reaching the podium seven times in total.
Andrey Dubrovsky
