Bikes: On the cusp of the Tour de France, the Stallion team’s new pro bikes

It is thanks to the “Solidarity” program that the Burkina Faso Cycling Federation (FBC) received this material from the umbrella organization of the World Cycling Union. “The UCI has an annual program called “Solidarity”. Every country has the opportunity to apply. Now, it depends on the arguments you give; if you meet the constraints of the UCI’s objectives, it is appreciated. We applied this year and, after a screening, we received the material you can see a sample of here,” explained Lazare Zabré, vice president of the FBC.

After explaining this, he made it clear that the support of the International Cycling Union (UCI) is more than just providing equipment. “The Solidarity Program is a program that provides equipment support to federations; training for athletes, managers, commissioners and cycling referees. The UCI initially offered us training after we applied. The training of commissioners has already started. This phase is online, there is a meeting that will start in September and we have a lot of registrations. After this training, we will have commissioners to strengthen the cycling refereeing body. Then, there will be training for mechanics, coaches,” Lazare Zabré continued.

The equipment on display, valued at 20 million CFA francs, consists of four bikes, two professional bikes (the white bikes in the photo) and two entry-level bikes (the blue bikes), as well as spare equipment. “In cycling, the problem is not the bikes, but the spare parts. We received a very good batch of spare parts, which really helps us because spare parts are expensive. This is high-quality equipment that is difficult to obtain. So we would like to thank the UCI for their continued support,” said Lazare Zabré.

In addition to donating equipment and training, the Burkinabe Cycling Federation has presented another project to the UCI, called “Avenir”, according to the federation’s vice president. “This is the second part of the solidarity plan. It consists in the discovery of young talents as part of our succession plan. The UCI has agreed to support our project with 50,000 Swiss francs (over 34 million CFA francs). We received a first advance payment of about 3,000 Swiss francs (just over 2 million CFA francs) for management costs. This does not mean that the UCI will finance the 50,000 Swiss francs; the State must make an equal contribution. In this sense, we have estimated what we can contribute; for the rest, we will ask the UCI. In addition to these materials, the project at hand will have great benefits for cycling. In terms of talent discovery, we focus on young people, women and riders from the provinces,” added the federation’s vice president.

The President of the FBC, Amédée Béréwoudougou, began by thanking his predecessors, the leaders of the federations and regions, cyclists, supporters, regulators and his collaborators for the work done to receive these bikes and spare equipment.

For the FBC president, this equipment will really help the national teams, taking into account the upcoming sporting events, especially the 2024 Tour de France. “In cycling, everything is expensive: bicycles, spare parts. “So this equipment strengthens our fleet of bicycles and equipment, which was not very rich. We can now participate in some international competitions with several national teams. On the eve of the Tour de France, this donation strengthens our capabilities. But it is thanks to the efforts of the authorities and our regulators that we can say that the Tour de France has been won. Preparations for the 2024 Tour de France will start soon. “He said.

Amédée Béréwoudougou assured that the presentation of these bikes has nothing to do with the upcoming elections for the renewal of the Federation’s Executive Committee. “The bikes have been here for almost two months. In the last two months we have had enough activity. In two months we have had more than seven races. That’s why we could not bring everyone together to present this material. Otherwise, it has nothing to do with any campaign,” he assured.

These also please Martin Sawadogo, the national technical director of the Burkina Faso Cycling Federation. He is very happy with these new frames, which, according to him, will help improve the performance of the cycling stallions, two months before the Tour de Faso. “We received the equipment, including two carbon fiber racing bikes and two aluminum bikes. It must be said that these four frames are truly professional for our category. This material will help improve our performance. We lack bicycles and without them we cannot perform well. Therefore, these bikes will strengthen the cycling fleet of the national team,” he is delighted.

Mamadou Zongo

Lefaso.com