One of the best African cyclists have an appointment on the Cameroonian roads from Could thirty first. For this nineteenth version of the Tour du Cameroun, 1200 kilometers lengthy, ten groups are anticipated on the beginning line. Together with African nationwide groups and a few semi-professional groups from Europe. On this system, twelve days of grueling competitors, with a variety of new issues besides.
The caravan finds the North
The route of the 2023 version begins from Figuil to Garoua (96 km) within the North area. A stage which constitutes the foremost innovation of the race this yr. Certainly, it has been greater than ten years for the reason that Tour of Cameroon caravan handed by this a part of the nation, because of threats from the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram which was spreading terror on this a part of Cameroon.
“For the security of the contributors, the nationwide and worldwide authorities (UCI) have prompt that the race now not passes by this area. The opposite purpose was linked to the coronavirus pandemic which didn’t permit a return to the Far North“, explains Jean-Baptiste Biaye, the communication supervisor of the Cameroonian Biking Federation. Thus, the highlight can be on the northern area of Cameroon for 3 days.
First on Could 30, with the group presentation ceremony on the Roumde Adjia celebration sq.. Then, the subsequent day, with step one. And at last, the 1er June with the second stage, a 124 km closed criterium inside town of Garoua. Provisions are made for the safety plan for a very good return of the race within the area. “The competitors being positioned beneath the very excessive patronage of the President of the Republic, safety measures are taken at a really excessive stage of the State.“, reassures Jean-Baptiste Biaye.
We go from eight to 10 levels
The opposite main innovation of this Tour du Cameroun 2023 issues the variety of levels. Thus, we’ve gone from eight levels, as has been the case for about ten years, to 10 levels. “Ten steps is cheap, contemplating budgetary points. You need to have in mind the variety of days to be spent on the bike and within the totally different cities of Cameroon. Additionally it is essential to combine the transport, the lodging and the help of the assorted delegations current within the caravan“, we study.
This yr, due to this fact, the race will move by six areas of Cameroon and now not simply three to 4. These are the North, the Littoral, the West, the South-West, the South and the Centre. To this finish, the Cameroonian Biking Federation publicizes, nonetheless by the use of innovation, a stage between Loum within the Littoral and Dschang within the West (112 km). “That is the seventh stage of the Tour, says Jean-Bastiste Biaye. The technicians current it because the queen stage of this version; as a result of there would be the collision of the Dschang cliff. It’s the most formidable mountain take a look at of the course“.
Extra bonuses for runners
As yearly, the publicity caravan, which opens the street for the riders, will attempt to impress the few thousand supporters anticipated alongside the departmental roads that the peloton will take. Firms and their manufacturers ought to be much more current on the course. Goal of every: to mark extra the spirits. Thus, alongside the improvements anticipated within the race, the sponsors announce on their aspect, extra bonuses for the rivals. 1000’s of presents can even be distributed to the general public on the varied stage finishes. The Tour will finish on June 11.
Arthur Wandji
Supply: sportnewsafrica
