Grand prix Chantal Biya: Ivory Coast missing

Organizers were, earlier today, concerned about whether Ivory Coast would be represented at the 15th edition of the Chantal Biya Cycling Grand prize starting today.

The Elephants were expected to arrive on yesterday night at the Douala International Airport. They were expected in the same flight as the Burkinabe.

Conté Bachirou, Cissé Issiaka and others have not arrived. "The Ivorians missed their flight," said Joseph Valery Fotso, to the Cameroonian Cycling Federation (Fecacylisme). Internal sources in the organization said they should arrive early this October 14 for the start of the race.

This is a prologue circuit which will take place within a perimeter of 7 km in Douala. The riders will leave the stadium at Bépanda Annex which will also be the finish line through CAMTEL, carrefour Ange Raphael, Cité Sic, Bp cité, carrefour Agip.

About 75 riders will be looking forward to win the yellow jersey which was won in 2014 by the Eritrean Debesay Mekseb. Cameroonians favourites including Clovis Kamzong Abossolo, the winner of the Tour of Cameroon 2015; Jeremiah Nseke who won three stages during the said tour or captain Damien Tekou, 3rd last year will all be in the race.

Morocco, first in the ranking of the Africa Tour, is also expected, including Lahsaïni Mouhsinne, winner of the recent Tour de Côte d’Ivoire and fellow Essaïd Abelouache, 2nd in Grand Prix Chantal Biya in 2014.

It will also count on Rwandans, specifically Janvier Hadi, 2nd winner in the Tour de Côte d’Ivoire, Algerians, and European teams such as furniture Descartes (Switzerland) or the selection Auvergne (France).