FECACYCLING unveils 2023 Cameroon Int’l Cycling Tour calendar.

The Cameroon Cycling Federation, FECACYCLING in an official statement on Thursday February 16, disclosed that the tour which will last for 12 days, will take place from May 31 to June 11.

“The 2023 Cameroon International Cycling Tour 2023 is scheduled to run from May 31 to June 11, 2023,” the federation said.

The announcement followed the federation’s executive committee meeting held in Yaounde.

During the meeting, members also decided on the chronogram of activities for the 2023 season.

The federation did not give out details on the various stages of the tour. The cycling competition has in the past, been organised in towns West, Centre, South, Littoral and the South West Regions of the country.

According to FECACYCLING, the International Cycling Union, the UCI, has also designated officials to handle the competition.

“The International Cycling Union (UCI) has already designated the president of the jury of race commissioners for this competition. Belgian Laurent Genetelli was appointed to handle the competition for the first time,” FECACYCLING said on Thursday.

The Cameroonian cycling governing body also announced the launch of its new season on March 5, with competitions in the junior and senior categories of both the men’s and women’s categories.

“The chronogram of activities also provides for a national race to open the season on 5 March 2023 in Yaounde for ladies, juniors and seniors from the ten regions of Cameroon,” it said.

The federation added that: “The calendar provides for the organisation of numerous national races, participation in international competitions and the organization of the Chantal Biya International Cycling Grand Prix in October 2023 among others,”.

The 2023 Cameroon International Cycling Tour will be the 19^th edition of the international event.

Rwandan cyclist, Moise Mughisa won the 2022 edition after completing the tour in 26 hours, 34 minutes and 24 seconds.

He ended the race 32 seconds ahead of Bulgarian cyclist, Andreev Yordans.

Cameroonian cyclist, Tella Artuce came third on the general classification after finishing 33 seconds behind the race winner.

Cameroon bracing up for comeback

The 2023 edition of the race will see Cameroonian cyclists looking to return to winning ways.

Twelve Cameroonian cyclists, six from the national cycling team and six from the National Hydrocarbons Corporation, SNH Velo Club competed in the 2022 event.

Only one of them finished among the top ten on the general classification table.

Cameroon’s best rider in the 2022 event, Tella Artuce, led the tour during the first two stages, but lost the Yellow Jersey after the third lap and never regained it, despite coming close on several occasions.

Two-time winner, Kamzong Abossolo finished on the 17^th spot.

Collectively, team Cameroon represented by SNH Velo Club, finished third on the general classification table behind the Rwandan Cycling team and the Martigues team from France.

Since the launch of the Cameroon International Cycling Tour in 2003, Cameroonian cyclists have won five of the 18 editions.

Clovis Kamzong emerged winner twice, first in 2015 and in 2021

Martinien Tega became the first Cameroonian to clinch the crown when he won the tour in 2004, a year after the inaugural edition won by Russian rider, Ivan Terenine.

Joseph Sanda and Yves Ngue Ngock have also won the race once each for Cameroon. Sanda in 2008 and Ngue Ngock in 2012 respectively.

Since inception in 2003, the tour has been held annually except in 2013 and 2020.

The event didn’t take place in 2020 because of the health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.