Lawrence Adjei left off a sweeping float of dust behind fellow nemesis and current SWAG Awardee Anthony Boakye to organize an astonishing sprint finish in 1:42:10 secs to win this year’s maiden edition of Ojatson Sports Foundation Cycling Championship.
The race, which saw over 100 riders registering, was superlative in description especially with the tenacity and grit over the 66km distance in 20 laps.
The first three laps was to familiarize the road network. The sun had popped up its furious rays. Certain familiar names in the starting line up sparked predictions. And it was true. The likes of Anthony Boakye, Lawrence Adjei, Frank Akuffo were a predictable threat to the rest of the riders.
By the 5th lap, the bunch had registered friendship. Riders were scarcely focused on any attacks. The steady flow of the bunch was enough for those who lacked cardiac output.
The crowd began to discuss the possibilities of who will win the race. These arguments entered into the 10th lap. By this time, the flowing peloton had disintegrated into flammable echelons. A beauty to behold.
The break away consisting of Seven riders had lost steam and had been caught by the 14th circuit. Every rider has secured a spot inside the heated bunch.
The younger riders , whose influence in their categories matters a lot to them, were notoriously stuck in the peloton. The likes of Ebenezer Quaye and Joseph Neequaye were incredibly stubborn, occasionally pacing their senior riders.
But fantastic credibility should be given to the youth around the 18th stage. They still kept their pride inside the senior bunch.
By the 19th lap, the fans began to yell in anguish. Either their bet was not pulling up or something was wrong.
A great display of a last lap clearance swayed around the Osu cemetery bend. That was to be the final frame of a fantastic finish for Team Epic’s Lawrence Adjei. He surveyed his shoulders to the left, swung from the angry bunch, leaving behind the Sunyani based wheeler to the second spot. Frank Akuffo of the Boss Tribe squeezing through the third position.
The Men’s Elite category thus survived a 66km distance of a brawling circuit amassing an average speed of 38.76km/hr.
The female category saw Erica Sedzro placing first, Abigail Ayehkie Tetteh , second with Paulina Yaa Mensah placing third.
All the participants were awarded a certificate and a cash prize for their efforts.
The Ojatson Sports Foundation Championship has injected some urgency into the riders especially as the Africa Road Paracycling Championships is some few days away.
Chief Organizer of the event ,OJ was highly elated at the inaugural organization of the race and believes the next edition would be even greater.
Ghana would be hosting over 20 Cycling countries next month for the Africa Road Paracycling Championships to be held at Ablekuma Ollebu and this race is a major build up for the selection of riders to represent the country.
Dennis Kweku Moore
Public Relations -Ghana Cycling Federation
Email: moorecycling67@gmail.com
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