TEAM EPIC’S PRINCE KUDUFIA SHOW CLASS IN A PRUDENT FINISH AT YHIS YEAR’S PRURIDE 2023 CYCLING RACE
what was duly anticipated to be a classy Road Race at this year’s PruRide 2023 cycling event came to light at the Independence Square circuit of a distance of 55km in a breathtaking space of 20 laps to accomplish.
This event has been enveloped in its 4th Edition file and the organization has been par excellence with over 200 riders registering.
Even before the race, there were some notable names that were ostensibly tipped to effect the circuit damage but those names had already sunk on the scales of expectations.
THE RACE:
When the entire bunch began the criterium pursuit inside the independence square and the thirst and desire of the riders were already in sight. The crowd had amassed in numbers amidst chants and cheers. The Police,Ambulance and mechanic motor bikes were duly positioned.
The one day heated circuit had a distance of 17.5 km to clear and a disturbing 20 lap discourse around the Accra Sports stadium through the AirtelTigo area , Ridge roundabout into the Osu cemetery end in that order. An exercise that saw majority of the riders getting dropped. It was all a matter of how to maintain a strong heart and steady legs.
The first three laps was quite normal for all the riders who rode with confidence. The men were deeply rooted in the main bunch as if they could match the power of the boys.
The 10th lap began to separate the boys from the men. Yes! Now, the loaded bunch had began to recede giving way to a possible breakaway from the fresh blooded boys from Team Epic.
The small hilly stretch along the Cedi House area was certainly for climbers. And here, I realized the Nigerian wheeler could be a dangerous customer for the Ghanaians. His cadence output was extremely consistent. Solid and cool.
8 more laps to go and now there has been a breakaway of five riders including three Ghanaians and the Nigerian. And what an incredible relay witnessed by this quartet?
The weather was very excellent and delivered the right temperature for the riders to maintain their breakaway lead. The torn peloton had been now fully dismembered from the main breakaway in a time lead of 1min 12 secs. But what even drove the interest of the breakaway bunch was how the Ghanaians made up of Michael Naaba, Prince Kudufia, and Lawrence Adjei adopted their tactical gears to contain the silent danger of the Nigerian. For sure.
It was around the AirtelTigo curve heading into the Rehabilitation center when Gutten’s Solomon Tagoe sprang from the main receding bunch and entered into the sweaty quartet of the breakaway bunch.
Truth be told, Solomon’s surge into the breakaway fold was super lightning. And by any tactical description the Gutten sprinter had added more energy and confidence into the mindset of the other Ghanaians. The Nigerian was still silent and kept exchanging words with the Ghanaians who were doing all the dirty work.
The relay strategy now became the only option, 3 more laps into the finish zone. The crowd became speculative because the question was ” who will win”?. The options were wide. The likes of Lawrence Adjei, Michael Naaba and Prince kudufia were all contenders for the ultimate.
With a lap more to go along the Ridge roundabout stretch, the behavior of the breakaway bunch had changed. Michael Naaba, Solomon Tagoe, defending champion, Lawrence Adjei kept a fantastic communication composure and had signalled Team Epic’s youngster Prince Kudufia leave.
The Nigerian,sensing danger , attempted to squeeze out of the cladded Ghanaians but the remaining Ghanians offered similar attacks to protect the the only Kudufia who had broken off in an epic fashion. And the penchant, the desire , the interest and quality pistol antics of the Team Epic sprinter had manifest as he tore off the bend around the Osu cemetery end. He looks back and you could feel the heartbeat and wish. Incredible!
The gang of three Ghanaians and the Nigerian were still tackling themselves in their own way. Kudufia by now had torn off by some 30 seconds to the finish line.
Kudufia snaked into the Accra Sports Stadium, established the 1km finish, and began the search for the Gh15,000 Prize money.
He looked back. There was no response from the approaching Nigerian. He raised his hands in an ” oh God thank you ” fashion before taking back the handle to cross the finish line to win the 2023 PruRide cycling race.
His compatriot, Lawrence Adjei followed suit and all the attention was on Team Epic.
Solomon Tagoe, who came through the third position, for me was the hero on the day. His injection of force and command of the seemingly fatigued breakaway in the final four rounds was simply stunning.
The female category, Nigerian wheeler Patience Efe took home a cash prize of Gh10,000 with the second and third taking home Gh5000 and Gh3000 respectively.
In the amateur category,Emmanuel Semekor came first with Henry Oware placing second. Alfred Acquah came third.
CEO of Prudential Life,Dr. Hazel Berrard Amuah expressed her elation at this year’s event complimenting the 175 years of Prudential Life and iterated that “cycling is part of their programmes and that the people will be helped to get the most out of it.
In attendance was the Chairman of the Local organizing committee of the African Games next year Dr. Kwaku Asare and other top Federation Executives.
Dr. Kwaku Asare requested from Prudential Life and other corporate bodies to support the Federation with equipments ahead of the African Games next year.
The 4th Edition of the PruRide race has certainly raised the bar and next year promises to be even higher.
Dennis Kweku Moore
Cycling commentator/ reporter
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