NATIONAL TOUR DU GHANA: TEAM BOSS TRIBE’S FRANK AKUFFO FLATTENS BUNCH TO WIN FOURTH STAGE

The Ada Kasseh trotro station was thrown into a state of uncontrollable ecstasy in the fourth stage of the National Tour Du Ghana when Team Boss Tribe’s poster boy Frank Akuffo Awuku sprang to a ferocious bunch finish by a whisker of a second to win the stage.

The young Rasta haired sprinter had a topsy turvy start in this particular race which began from the Accra sports stadium through Ada to Sogakope and back to Ada. But he somewhat managed a bunch inclusion, saved energy and unleashed his final venom at the finishing.

The 30km demonstration publicity ride was somewhat uncomfortable as the road network along the Baatsona area through to the Nungua barrier township was terrible due to construction works ongoing.

The focus of River Park Brong Ahafo Cycling club in this very stage was to protect the leaders Jersey. They excellently succeeded in protecting their idol in the bunch till finish when they let him off to third place. A position which is likely to cement the yellow jersey holder a sure keep.

The bunch rolled into Dawhenya with full recovery amidst chants from spectators who obviously ignored church service to enjoy the peloton past by.

The wind was a big obstacle as many of the riders were already aware and had to adopt the usual pelotonic shields to occasionally issue some attacks.

Abdul Rahman Abdul Samed enjoyed over 20 minutes of the live coverage on the Facebook page of the Federation that was running live commentary on the race by breaking away from the entire bunch by almost 2 minutes but that display was shortlived as the workrate of the bunch behind him proved solid and eventually catching up with him.

The bunch entered into Ada like a flash of lightning and swept past the podium point into Sogakope and returned with intense heat.

Fidel Tchalem of Royal Cycling club is getting better by the day and managed a second position with Anthony Boakye coming third.

Rahman came fourth notwithstanding, a position that speaks well about his exploits in recent times.

Stage four combed an entire distance of 2hrs 58mins 58 seconds with an average speed of 41.1km/hr with 67 cyclists starting this stage.

Team Boss Tribe is certainly the best team at this stage and it will serve me as no surprise they maintain it to the end.

Alexander Allotey maintained the best youngest Jersey with Togolese import Fidel Tchalem securing the combativity jersey.

By some historical reference Anthony Boakye has equalled the records of veteran cyclist John Zormelo by getting decorated with both the green and Yellow jersey at a go.

The utmost interest in the yellow jersey is building up and it is astonishing to see on the log sheet Kako Justin of Team Sky as the next in contention. He is trailing behind Anthony Boakye by just an incredible close up chase time of 1min 38 seconds.

Boakye’s nemesis Frank Akuffo Awuku, who has been a thinking worry to the River Park Brong Ahafo Team has been dissected off the yellow jersey by 3mins 28 seconds and by simple calculation the Sunyani based wheeler is tipped to keep the coveted leader’s jersey today.

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The Ultimate hanger will be settled at the Ablekuma Olebu stretch and that promises to fireworks as the final intentions of the various jersey holders would be at play.

Dennis Kweku Moore
Cycling Writer/commentator