The Moroccan cycling team achieved a good result during the first stage of the 21st edition of the Tour du Bénin, which linked the cities of Djougou and Savalou today, Tuesday, covering a distance of 126.4 km, by taking the lead in the general team classification, with champion Youssef Bdadou securing third place.
The Moroccan team’s lead in the general classification was due to its riders Youssef Bdadou, Mohcine El Kouraji, and Salaheddine Mouaouine finishing third, seventh, and eleventh, respectively, in this stage.
The Moroccan national team surpassed the Eritrean team and the German “Bike Aid” team by a time difference of one minute and 57 seconds.
The stage and the yellow jersey were won by the Latvian cyclist Kristians Belohvosciks (German Bike Aid team), who outpaced a group of eight cyclists in a final sprint. Kristians finished ahead of Alexandre Mayer from Mauritius, who came in second, and Moroccan cyclist Youssef Bdadou, who completed the podium.
Moroccan champion Mohcine El Kouraji had a successful start in the 21st edition of the Tour du Bénin cycling race (April 27 – May 2), by finishing seventh in the preliminary stage, which was held yesterday, Monday, in Cotonou (4.8 km).
The Moroccan cyclist finished in seventh place, 14 seconds behind the leader, earning the jersey for the best African rider, notably outperforming cyclists from Eritrea and Algeria.
The Moroccan team finished in fourth place, behind the German teams “Bike Aid” and “Hoocar Factory” and the Belgian “Claus Bal Enzo”, 34 seconds behind the leader.
The second stage will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, between the cities of Ndali and Chauron, covering a distance of 155 km.
The third stage, linking the cities of Ndali and Chauron (155 km), will take place tomorrow, Wednesday.
It is worth noting that the Moroccan team participating in the tour, inscribed since 2022 on the agenda of the International Cycling Union (category 2.2), consists of cyclists Salaheddine Mouaouine, Mohcine El Kouraji, Youssef Bdadou, Adil El Arbaoui, Lahcen Sabbahi, in addition to the promising young Marouane Kharbouchi, coached by national coach Mustapha Al Amali.
Participants in the tour will cover a total distance of 731.82 km over 6 stages, concluding with the Grand Prix of Cotonou (108 km) on May 3rd.
