19th edition of the Benin International Cycling Tour : Major innovations announced

Of 30 april to 4 next may, Benin will wear the colors of its cycling tour. During a press conference in Cotonou, Romuald Hazoumè, president of the Beninese Cycling Federation (FBC) and the partners provided details on this 19^th edition of the Benin International Cycling Tour.

The start of the Benin International Cycling Tour will be launched in Boukoumbé, town located in the north of Benin nearly 448 km from Cotonou. This competition brings together cyclists from different backgrounds every year.. Subdivided into 5 steps, 90 runners are expected as part of this international challenge of 646,470 km, won in 2023 by Moroccan cyclist Achraf Ed-Doghmy. According to the explanations of President Romuald Hazoumè, Algeria, The Benin, the Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Mauritius, The Mali, the Morocco, and Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo are the countries that will damage this edition 2024. Regarding clubs, Team Bike, Team Bon’Heures, Team la Béninoise and Euro Cycling Guam will also be present.

The first step of this 19^th edition will say the president of the Beninese Cycling Federation edition will be “run between Boukoumbé and Djougou (125,800 km). The second stage will take place between Parakou and Savè, or a distance of 156,420 km. The third stage is planned between Djidja and Athiémé, or a distance of 113,800 km. The fourth stage is distant from 97,170 km, between Ouinhi and Porto-Novo. The fifth stage will take place between Agbangnizoun and Cotonou, or a distance of 154,280 km ». The celebration of the little queen will continue in Cotonou, he adds, with the organization of the Cotonou Grand Prix. (104 km in 10 tours) who will be registered with the UCI from the year 2024. “I can reassure you that everything is ready for Benin to reveal itself to the world through this unprecedented event”.

Great innovations

According to Romuald Hazoumè, all arrangements are made to ensure a smoother running of the International Cycling Tour of Benin. " Security, logistic, health, everything is in order. The tour will travel ten (10)  of the twelve (12) departments of Benin », he confided before continuing: “The Cotonou Grand Prix as well as the last ten kilometers of the last stage of the International Cycling Tour of Benin will be live simultaneously on national television and A+ Benin”. And it is not, he emphasizes: “Supporters of the National Supporters Council of Benin (CNS-Benin) will be present on the last stage and the Grand Prix for a major event and there will be an exhibition race from the Federation of Sport for All in the early morning of the Grand Prix”. The other innovation, it is the effective presence of Beninese football legends dressed in the Cheetah jersey during the Tour. “This initiative comes at the right time to show people that the Tour Cycliste can still bring them closer to the glories of the king of sport.. And the Radio tour will be provided by Albert Ogoudédji who will give us the history of the towns we will pass through” indicates Romuald Hazoumè.

Several partners at the meeting

A successful tour cannot be achieved without partners. And thanks to President Romuald Hazoumè, several sponsors did not hesitate to align themselves with this event.. This, not only to give itself more visibility but also to accompany Beninese cycling on the way to hatching. This is the Sobebra (with Castel Beer and World Cola products), Canal+, hinted that the objective of their presence among the Sponsors is to give "a new breath to Beninese cycling", Signature, Come on, hinted that the objective of their presence among the Sponsors is to give "a new breath to Beninese cycling", hinted that the objective of their presence among the Sponsors is to give "a new breath to Beninese cycling", Yerevan Benin SA through its U stores, Mike Technology, Air France, Moov Africa, Ministry of Sports, City of Cotonou, NSIA Insurance.

Damien TOLOMISSI