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 Thursday 27 October 2005 |
| stage 2Pa > Gaoua - 159 km |
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| Schnell, means “quick†in Alsatian! |
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Mickaël Schnell doesn’t have the reputation of being a climber, and even less of being at his ease in hot conditions. But he was the one to clinch the day’s long stage taking the riders to Goua, after covering one of the only roads of the country including climbs. In the leading group was Cameroon’s Joseph Sanda, who claimed the yellow jersey with only a one second lead in the overall standing on title holder Abdul Wahab Sawadogo.
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Attacks from the start
Everyone knew that the road would be long today, but attacks occurred from the start. At kilometre 3, Idrissa Ouedraogo and Japanese Shigenori Ishida, followed by Tidiani Ouedraogo, tried to break away but were rapidly caught by the pack. The following attempts, in duo or in groups, by Africans or Europeans, were never serious. The first four to manage a clear break of over a minute Saïdou Rouamba, Cameroon’s Sadrac Teguimaha and Ivory Coast’s Bolodogui Ouattara and Mahamadi Sawadogo, who went through the first intermediate sprint in Dano (km 50) in that precise order.
Hills that hurt
The historical captain of the Burkina stallions, Saïdou Rouamba, carried on leading the escapee group and attacked a first time alongside Ouattara, and then again with Mahamadi Sawadogo. This breakaway lasted until kilometre 66, when the pack already losing a few riders caught the front men. The following succession of hills gave ideas to those eager to clinch victory and who chased every single attempt. Large groups therefore managed to break away and eventually a group of around 40 riders led the race.
Rouamba the man to watch
At kilometre 100, it looked obvious that the pack wouldn’t shape up again, especially with the hilly roads making life difficult for many. While more and more riders were dropped, Saïdou Rouamba continued being part of most of the attacks in the race lead. The bonus point he clinched at the third intermediate sprint (km 137) enables him to conquer the “hot points†pink jersey…
A Cameroon-Burkina battle
With ten kilometres to go, Rouamba was amongst a group of three riders who enjoyed a 40’’ advantage on a group of followers. Working hard alongside Cameroon’s Tega and Angolan Guevara, he was eventually caught 5 kilometres from the finish by another Cameroon rider, Sanda, as well as Belgian Pattyn, Alsatian Schnell and title holder Abdul Wahab Sawadogo, who never was far from the front of the race. Schnell eventually proved to be the fastest on the line while Sanda captured the yellow jersey with only a one second lead on Sawadogo. The battle expected between Cameroon and Burkina Faso has really started.
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Sawadogo’s double life
By winning the 2004 Tour du Faso, Abdul Wahab Sawadogo became a national hero in Burkina Faso. One year later, it’s with a kind of « double nationality » that he showed up for the start of the 19th edition. His way of dressing just proved how close he was to his new country of adoption he discovered this year. Although carrying with pride the « Café Samba » colours of Burkina, his shorts are however those of a rival formation with friendly riders, the Côte des Légendes Team. Indeed this year, Abdul Wahab Sawadogo was invited by Jo Salaun to share the training sessions of his group and live with his family in Brittany for 5 months.
The main goal at the beginning, that came from an initiative from the Burkina Federation and ASO, was to discover European cycling for the winner of the Tour du Faso: its level, its difficulty, its training principles… And apparently Sawadogo’s trip to Plougastel proved to be extremely positive. Between April en September, he became the first Burkina rider in history to cover 8550 km on the roads of Brittany, including 3350 km of competitive racing, all that at an average speed of 40,8 km/h. The difficulty of the task is also shown by two other figures: close to 40° in the shade of Ouaga, less than 5° at his arrival in Brittany, and very tough training sessions. “During one of his first rides, I took him to a hill that we call the “little Ventouxâ€. It was cold and it was raining. I believe he never witnessed such a difficult training sessionâ€, explains Philippe Hamache. And the man himself confirms: “at the beginning, the cold conditions really made me suffer and the sessions were hard. But I felt I was improving and I eventually got used to it. »
« He learnt to do jams! »
Of the 39 races in Brittany (twice as many as his usual program), Sawadogo only quit four times and that includes two falls. His best result was a 13th spot at the Trophée de la Roche aux Fées, a day were it was really hot! If these results have nothing spectacular, his Brittany boss, Jo Salaun, was delighted by his progression. « He learned a lot and can now be a rival with the best riders of regional races. And look, he lost 4 kilos, he’s a lot fitter. »
His technical and strategic improvements aren’t however what will remain in the mind of Abdul Wahab, who really discovered a new family in Brest. Michelle, Madame Salaun, isn’t a cyclist but spent a lot more time with him than with the other members of the team. « We took care of things together, whether it was racing or cooking. He even learnt how to do jams with me! ».
During this long period, Sawadogo discovered salty butter, toasts, local specialities and rides on the family quad. He even took time to help on the building site of a friend of the family, just to bring back some extra money to Ouaga that will help him buy a little motorbike.
Back in his country, it was Abdul Wahab’s turn to invite his friends to discover his family circle. For their first day in Africa, Jo and Michelle Salaun, with the girls that stay with the team, went to the 2004 Faso winner’s home, when his two boys were enjoying a nap. But before that, Abdul Wahab had to pop by the mechanic shop that he opened with his younger brother since his victory. Then in his house, the guests met his wife Zainat that they had heard so much about. The program: tasting Gaouré, a local speciality with beans and a cuddle with 2-year-old Abdoussakoura, the youngest son of Abdul Wahab. Finally it was time to start considering the race, but strong feelings remained. If Abdul has the opportunity to win and if we have nothing to gain, I can guarantee that the boys will give all they have to help himâ€, Jo explained. After two stages, the first Brittany rider, Philippe Hamache, is 52nd overall. There might now be 23 Burkina riders helping Sawadofgo in his new quest for glory!
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