One of the challenges Cameroonian cyclists have been confronted with during major international cycling competitions, according to Bruno Eloumou, Secretary General of the National Cycling Federation, are time trial and closed circuit races (in the Single and team categories), a real test of speed and endurance. Against this backdrop, the Federation have organized local competitions to upgrade the capacities of riders in these aspects.

In November and December 2018, time trial and closed circuit competitions were respectively staged in Yaounde, said Bruno Eloumou. Ahead of the 14th edition of the Tropicale Amissa Bongo cycling race in Gabon (21-27 January 2019) and the U-23 Cycling Race of Hope in Yaounde (4-9 February 2019), senior and junior cyclists here were engaged in two competitive training races dubbed “Yaounde Wake-Up”.

At 12:30 on Saturday, 12 January 2019, they took part in a 19-Km individual time trial race at Sous Prefecture Tsinga. The next day, at the same venue, emphasis was on a 90-Km closed circuit race. SNH Vélo Club cyclist Artuce Tella won both races. Cycling clubs have also been carrying out separate training sessions.

SNH Vélo Club captain, Clovis Kamzong Abossolo, in a recent telephone interview with this reporter, said they have been racing on different itineraries and topographies notably at the Yaounde Conference Centre, Olembé, Obala, Ngoumou and Batchenga. “We train five times a week under the supervision of our Coach, Martinien Tegha and we will be ready for the Tropical Amissa Bongo race,” Kamzong Abossolo noted.