Team Nigeria cyclists to the 16th edition of the Tour du Benin have expressed optimism to surpass their previous outing at the championship billed for Port Novo, Benin Republic from May 15.
According to the organisers, the 10-day cycling tour will see Nigeria competing against 10 countries across the world. Teams expected to battle Nigeria in the Benin Republic cycling tourney, which is a nine stage contest are Morocco, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire Togo, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, France, Italy among other countries.
The Nigeria team, which has been in camp in Abeokuta since May1 perfecting strategy for the Benin Republic cycling competition is working hard to surpass their last outing in 2019 where they finished second.
The team was supported with N200,000, bicycle parts, accessories and servicing’s worth N300,000 by Ft cycle care to ensure a smooth outing in Benin Republic.
The cheque and other items was presented to the Nigeria team by CEO/ FT Cycle Care, Femi Thomas, who said it was his own token to spur the team to victory.
The contingent comprising six cyclists and three officials will depart Nigeria on May 14 for the competition, which will last 10 days.
Femi Thomas, who is Vice Chairman of Ogun State Cycling Association said cycling can put Nigeria in the world map in sports if more corporate bodies and well meaning Nigerians invest in it.
Meanwhile, a one-day fun ride cycling championship was organised in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital and Abeokuta, Ogun state, in partnership with Cycology Riding Club of Lagos and Ogun State Commissioner for Transports, as part of events to celebrate May 1 Workers Day, and also create more awareness in cycling across the country.