photo credits @ UCI
– Race of the month –
The Tour de Côte d’Ivoire-Tour de la Réconciliation celebrated its second edition as a UCI race on the Africa Tour in 2016. This year, the UCI 2.2 race ran between September 24th and 30th, with seven stages. Moroccan rider Mohcine El Kouraji (Morocco National Team) took the overall title.
The 578.8 kilometer race on the Ivory Coast dates back to 1953, but it did not take place every year. In 1998 it disappeared completely as the West African country suffered an economic, social and political crisis, causing the death of several thousand citizens. However, the National Cycling Federation fought for its country’s national cycling tour, and 2012 saw the re-launch of the event under the poignant name Tour de Côte d’Ivoire – Tour de la Réconciliation. Yao Allah-Kouamé, President of the Ivoirian Cycling Federation, explained: “We asked ourselves how cycling could play a role in the reconciliation. Sport is a factor that brings people together, not only geographically speaking but also sentimentally and psychologically. People crowded along the roadsides applaud and encourage their athletes without caring about their political, sociological, cultural or religious leanings.. Cycling can produce the same sentiments in everyone by showing them that they are part of the same country, supporting the same athletes or teams.”
This year, the first three stages were centered around the city of Bouaké, in the interior of Ivory Coast. Abderrahim Zahiri (Morocco National Team) won the first stage and held the leader’s jersey through stages two and three, before losing the Yellow Jersey to team mate El Kouraji, who kept it until the end of the race.
2016 Final Standings
1. Mohcine El Kouraji (MAR), Morocco National Team 16:45:42 2. El Mehdi Chokri (MAR), Morocco National Team at 1:03 3. Isiaka Cisse (CIV), Ivory Coast National Team 1:33 4. Soufiane Haddi (MAR), Skydive Dubai Pro Cycling Team – Al Ahli Club 1:59 5. Salah Eddine Mraouni (MAR), Morocco National Team 2:16
2016 Jersey Winners
Overall Leader Jersey – Mohcine El Kouraji (MAR) Morocco National Team Best Young Rider – Mohcine El Kouraji (MAR) Morocco National Team Overall Team Classification – Morocco
– UCI Continental Circuits rankings as of October 2, 2016 –
Individual Rankings UCI Africa Tour – Issak Tesfom Okubamariam (ERI) UCI America Tour – Greg van Avermaet (BEL) UCI Asia Tour – King Lok Cheung (HKG) UCI Europe Tour – Baptiste Planckaert (BEL) UCI Oceania Tour – Sean Lake (AUS)
Team Rankings UCI Africa Tour – Nasr Dubai (UAE) UCI America Tour – Holowesko/Citadel p/b Hincapie Sportswear (USA) UCI Asia Tour – Tabriz Shahrdari Team (IRI) UCI Europe Tour – Direct Energie (FRA) UCI Oceania Tour – Avanti Isowhey Sport (AUS)
Nation Rankings UCI Africa Tour – Eritrea UCI America Tour – Colombia UCI Asia Tour – Iran UCI Europe Tour – Belgium UCI Oceania Tour – Australia
– Focus on King Lok Cheung –
King Lok Cheung from Hong Kong China has had an extremely strong year in 2016, and leads the UCI Asia Tour rankings as of October 2nd. He began riding for the Orica-GreenEDGE (now Orica-BikeExchange) team as a neo-pro in mid-2016.
This year Cheung won both the road and time trial Hong Kong National Championships, as well as the Asian continental titles in both disciplines. It was his fourth consecutive national time trial title, as well as winning the road race title in 2014. He also competes on the track, winning the points race at the 2015 UCI World Cup in Cali, Colombia, and the same event at the 2014 Asian Championships.
Principal results
2016 1st – Asian Continental Championship Road Race 1st – Asian Continental Championship Time Trial 1st – National Time Trial Championships 1st – National Road Race Championships
2015 1st – National Time Trial Championships 1st – Points Race UCI World Cup, Cali (COL) 1st – Stage 1, Tour de Ijen
2014 1st – Asian Track Cycling Championships (Madison) 1st – Asian Track Cycling Championships (points race) 1st – National Time Trial Championships 1st – National Road Race Championships
2013 1st – National Time Trial Championships
2012 1st – Asian Track Cycling Championships (pursuit) 1st – Stage 6 Tour of Hainan
2010 1st – Stage 10 Tour de Korea
You must be logged in to post a comment.
