Take the globe, rotate it near the line between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, position it on West Africa. Instructions for use on a post-Liège Tuesday (the comparison between the "Doyenne" and the Tour du Benin should not seem heretical), discovering the cycling dynamism of the Continent that in 150 days will live its historic first time alongside the World Championship. The anticipation of the world event in Kigali, Rwanda, lends itself to being marked by competitions taking place simultaneously in two nations unknown on the international cycling map.

IN SIERRA LEONE, THE TRIUMPH IS FOR SECOND PLACE

Yes, because the organizational dynamism currently seen between Benin and Sierra Leone (with the Tour du Lunsar), with due proportions to certain craftsmanship, reproduces a trajectory of great two-wheel growth anticipated by the "benchmark" (as the experts say), the highlight and reference event, namely the Tour du Rwanda, the only 2.1 stage race scheduled every February. Before understanding better what's happening in Beninese land, we move even further west, encountering the happy face of Alhaii Sheriff Sankoh, second in the first stage of the Tour de Lunsar, carried on shoulders by the crowd as if he were the winner (video). Scenes of jubilation that speak for themselves, a precious heritage of unconditional, we would say whirling, adhesion to the engaging message of two wheels. To avoid misunderstandings, good Sankoh will hardly be able to line up with those among Africans with more chances of emerging globally, Eritreans first and foremost. Yet, moving to Benin and moving up a level (race included in the UCI Africa Tour), the expectations around an event now in its twentieth edition are multiple and multiplied – with the approach of the world event - also thanks to the media attention guaranteed by Canal +, which will thoroughly follow all six stages covering a total of 624 kilometers between Nikki and Cotonou.

EX-PROFESSIONAL NIYONSHUTI AND THE "NOUVELLE VAGUE"

While the hunt for points for the September world championship will intensify (deadline August 19), much has changed since the Team Africa Rising staff moved from Rwanda, after completing a cycling development path in the Land of a Thousand Hills. Adrien Niyonshuti, an emblematic figure (first Rwandan to participate twice in the Olympics), is experimenting on the race terrain his new role as Benin selector, after recently attending a training stage at the international federation's center in Aigle. "In Switzerland, I obtained what I desired, the second-level coach qualification. Looking ahead to Kigali 2025, I want to leverage the knowledge gained during the course and the experience accumulated during my professional years. Working for the future, we have several riders who can become professionals, to be gradually developed through the World Cycling Center in South Africa and then in Aigle. A bridge to European and world roads that I directly know for having frequented them in the now distant past" – Adrien recounts, now rooted in Lucca, where he arrived in 2009, remaining in the ranks of Douglas Ryder's team even during the two years when Dimension Data was part of the World Tour. In Benin (first breakthrough of a former teammate of Niyonshuti, the South African Reinardt Janse van Rensburg) the start list includes Morocco (current defending nation), South Africa, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and then Mali, Ghana, continental associations like 7 Eleven from the Philippines or the Dutch Universe Cycling Team.

WHEN THE AMAZONS ARRIVE AT THE WORLD CYCLING CENTER

Among the home riders, the just 17-year-old Exodus Saizonu is eager, national junior road and time trial champion, already at the start of the Zurich World Championships. He was not alone, because at the female level Benin fielded "even" among the Elites Harmoine Ahioussu and Georgette Vignonfondo among the juniors. The Amazon duo recently posed with justified pride wearing the World Cycling Center UCI uniform, which will accompany them in their approach to the world championships by also guaranteeing a series of competitions in France.

When talking about Harmoine and Georgette, Team Africa Rising manager Kimberley Coats, an American, has an illuminated face. "We are comforted by the enthusiasm with which Adrien Niyonshuti sees the future of cycling also as a great opportunity for human growth. We are developing especially the junior category and we know how difficult it is to overcome cultural barriers about women's cycling, also trying in every way to guarantee equal opportunities for boys and girls. This empowerment action through the bicycle is a great horizon across the Continent". By the way, after the Tour du Benin on the ocean promenade of Cotonou, a women's race will also take place. And it's not a coincidence.

THE RACE
The inaugural stage was won by former South African pro Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg ahead of Moroccan Kamal Mahroug and Dutchman Tom Wijfje. Today the second stage, the Parakou-Savé of 156.4 km, will be disputed.

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