Ouagadougou: The 36th edition of the Tour International du Faso began with a promising start as the cycling teams from Burkina Faso and Morocco prepare for a competitive race for the coveted yellow jersey. The initial stage of the race, which took place between Ouagadougou and Koudougou, set the stage for what many expect to be a thrilling contest.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Morocco, last year’s winner with cyclist Mohcine El Kouradji, is determined to retain the yellow jersey. Despite the first stage not counting towards the competition, the Atlas Lions demonstrated their prowess with El Alouani Driss securing victory in the stage, signaling their strong intent for an overall win. With El Kouradji absent this year, El Alouani has stepped up as the leader, expressing gratitude to his teammates for their support in his stage win. Moroccan coach Mouhssine Lahsaini emphasized their ambition to secure another victory and their preparation for the upcoming African Championship in Kenya.

Burkina Fas
o was less satisfied with their second-place finish in Koudougou. Souleymane Kone expressed disappointment, highlighting the importance of winning stages to please local fans. Paul Daumont, the Stallion leader and 2023 Tour winner, returned to the competition after missing last year due to injury. Although he didn’t excel in the initial stage, there is speculation that he is conserving energy for the demanding Koudougou-Boromo stage.

The anticipation builds as the race progresses to the second stage in Boromo, which covers a distance of 156.2 km and includes three intermediate sprints at Sabou, Tita, and kilometer 123.89. The competition remains open, with both teams eager to claim the yellow jersey in this prestigious cycling event.