Cowbell Cycling Tour of Ghana - Nartey takes the longest distance

William Nartey of H.M. Club finally scooped the Yellow Jersey in the longest distance of the third stage of the Cowbell Cycling Tour of Ghana in a record time of two hours, 43 minutes and 18 seconds.

The sprinter from Prampram was denied the coveted jersey on Wednesday after organisers admitted an error in deciding winner of a photo-finish of the second stage of the Tour from Cape Coast to Takoradi.

Yesterday’s stage covered a distance of 145km from Assin Fosu in the Central Region over a long stretch of the Assin Fosu-Kumasi highway through some satellite communities and villages. So gruelling was the race that eight cyclists pulled over and abandoned the stage due to exhaustion.

Natey was presented with the Yellow Jersey, a cash prize of GH?400 and Cowbell products by Saka Acquaye, Ashanti regional Sports Director.

Samuel Anim of Young Stars Club received GH¢300 and GH¢200 for annexing the Red and Blue jerseys, while Victor Cudjoe of All Stars got GHC¢200 for taking the White Jersey as the best youngest rider.

The competitors began the race with budding enthusiasm, riding with speed and power through Apagya, New Edubiase, New Akrofoum and the Adansi district of the Ashanti Region. They then journeyed on to Fomena, Asokwa Bosome where the steep slopes and high mountaineous stretch of road began to take a toll on the riders.

It was at this juncture that the rollers were separated from the sprinters and the mountaineers.

At Sebedie, Kyeremade and Amankwade, the rest of the cyclist started tearing off their compatriots and fellow riders in a tight group which included William Nartey, Samuel Anim, Henry Tetteh Djanmah, Aminu Mohammed and youngster Victor Cudjoe.

But William Nartey proved his worth and silenced earlier doubters about his capabilities when he broke away about 30 seconds to finishing and made history at a record time.

The battle now resumes today in a 120km race from Kumasi to Sunyani in what the organisers claim would be one of the key title deciders for the competition.