Wonder kid Akoto steals show at Tour de Ho

Accra, Sept 14, GNA - Cycling wonder kid, Ayitey Akotoo, lived up to pre-race billing as favourite to win the lucrative Tour de Ho, as he produced a smashing performance to down fellow compatriots last Saturday with an impressive time of 6:9:61sec in the four-kilometre Individual Time Trial. He powered his way to victory from the start and broke away from the bunch of the peloton and replicated the enormous stamina he exhibited in the Ivory Coast a couple of months ago in the La Route de L'est to finish the race atop.

Prior to the race, many had described as a fluke Akoto's immaculate performance in the Ivory Coast where he won three trophies but the All Stars cyclist told the GNA Sports that he was in to prove his critics wrong and to rewrite the script of the race, and true to his word, he did. Close to his heels however, was former national star and skipper of the national cycling team Joseph Annan who clocked 6:18:70sec while Richard Mawuko of Koforidua's River Park managed a distant third on 6:23:79sec.

City Migro were unstoppable in the Team Time Trial as they scaled above the other 16 competing clubs including two from neighbouring Togo to be crowned champions in a time of 6:03:45 ahead of Nippon and All Stars respectively. Philip Randolph (Nippon) recorded 1:42:47sec in the 60-kilometre Criterion race to clinch the top spot. One of the favourites Emmanuel Wayo and unknown Emmanuel Obuor were second and third respectively. In a spicy ladies event Evelyn Agbeyega proved too hot to be handled as she soared over Rabiatu Musa and Doreen Havor in the 40-kilometre race.

Seven of the 17 clubs which competed came from Accra, one each from Tamale, Koforidua and Kumasi as well as four female clubs from the Volta Region plus two guest teams from Togo. The winners received prizes from the sponsors Pens and Plastic Company (BIC), Cowbell and the French Embassy plus trophies.