With no-one from Cameroon
Despite the organisers hoping for a last minute arrival of the Cameroon team that where taken from airport to airport; never making it to Ouagadougou, the Tour of Faso eventually took off with 15 teams. Despite one of the top nations not making it, the African riders gave all they had to break up the peloton. The first attack came from Burkina rider Mahamadi Sawadogo after only 7 kilometres but didn't last for Long, Three kilometres later another move this time by Angolan Leonardo Z. Daniel, ended the same way.

Chevalier already there
At kilometre 24, a trio with Lucien Zongo, Pierre Chevalier and Gunter Cuylits took off, stayed clear from the peloton and managed a 53'' gap at kilometre 29. Despite being caught by A. Sawadogo, Fabrice Debrabant and Karel Pattyn, the break-away remained clear. In good shape, Chevalier clinched intermediate points for the green jersey finishing second of a sprint won by Sabou (km 43). But bad collaboration and a fierce pace set by the Burkina team ended the early break. A group of 19 riders caught up with the leaders at kilometre 95.

25 at 25 km
A group of 25 riders eventually led this first stage with a stable advantage on the peloton of around 2'. The AS Fadoul team, Burkina Faso's best formation, is well represented upfront (4 riders) and can also count on the help of three members of the Sofitex team to help out their captain Saïdou Rouamba. But the group eventually breaks up in two with 25 kilometres to go, Pierrre Chevalier finding himself with his team mate Thierry David. 10 kms from the line, well aware of his poor sprinting skills, Chevalier decided to take off. A move that ended up being decisive. At 5kms, he already had a 1'35'' lead. “Suffering like hell in the last five kilometres”, Pierre Chevalier, an employee at EDF (France's electricity company) continued suffering in silence and earned himself the best victory of his career. 1'33'' adrift, Saïdou Rouamba, for his 16th Tour of Faso, won the sprint for second place.

The heart of Africa

Sometimes fate decides to point out something so obvious. That's what happened during the official presentation of the teams for the start of the 18th Tour of Faso. It turns out that Ouagadougou might somehow mean “meeting point”, “opening” or “exchange”. Indeed, the launch of the Tour of Faso wasn't the only event of the day. It appears that it was also the Grande opening of a fire-work of cultural events in the Burkina capital. While the 89 riders will be travelling around the country “Ouaga” organises the SIAO, Salon International d'Art de Ouagadougou (29 oct.-7 nov.), a “rendezvous” for the world of local art. Less than a month later, the city will be the centre of the continent for the annual meeting of the French speaking nations of Africa. From the 27th to the 28th of November.

Voluntarily or not, this open-minded spirit had its effect on the Tour, first of foremost concerning the starting teams of this year's event. Indeed, the organisers have decided to create a mixed Japanese and French team and have invited for the first time not one but three Asian riders. Added to that Burkina's Issa Soudre has been chosen by Belgian side Vasco-Avia-Modemakers and that certainly delighted the fans massed at the “Maison des Peuples” (home of the people). Even better, the Tour can rejoice of seeing the return of the Ivory Coast team, absent for the past three editions and the first participation of the Angolans that eventually made it to the start of the race in the evening despite travelling problems.

And the show was at the height of expectation, especially with the appearance of singer Africa Love and the djembefolas group called “Les amis de Ouidi”. The riders were certainly delighted to witness for the first time three fashion shows by Burkina stylists… Far, far away from the tough roads and tracks to come...

The will to exchange, wanted by ASO and the Tour of Faso, could well carry on, on the course of the event as was mentioned by co-director Jean-Claude Hérault, and minister of sports Toundoun Sessouma. The new teams that have started the race and the ever progressing African cyclists will certainly make things as unexpected as possible. The traditional favourites coming from Europe can start worrying about the local contingent. And why shouldn't we have a Burkina rider winning his event, like in 1997? The answer will come on the 7th of November in Ouagadougou, or maybe before...