Koudougou: Belgian sprinter Lance De Cabooter from Flanders clinched victory in the second stage of the Tour International du Faso on Saturday. The stage, spanning from Koudougou to Boromo over 156.2 km, saw De Cabooter triumph in a sprint finish against Moroccan Ed-Doghmy Achraf and Burkinabe Paul Daumont.
According to Burkina Information Agency, De Cabooter completed the longest stage of the competition in 3 hours, 44 minutes, maintaining an average speed of 41.839 km/h. This stage marked the true commencement of the Tour du Faso, as the initial stage was canceled.
Throughout the course, riders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Belgium drove the race’s pace, exchanging bonus points during intermediate sprints. The first sprint hotspot at Sabou (66.55 km) was claimed by Malian Tiemoko Diallo, with Belgian De Boes Timmy and Burkinabe Bamassi Soulama following. Timmy later secured the second intermediate sprint at Tita (102.74 km), ahead of Burkina Faso’s Saturnin Yameogo, while the Laba bonus (123.89 km) went to
Malian Djandiouba Diallo. Despite several attempts, no breakaways were successful, including a solo effort by Burkinabe Mohamadi Ilboudo which was quickly neutralized.
In the final kilometer, contenders for the yellow jersey engaged in a fierce battle. De Cabooter, who had been discreet until then, launched a surprise attack that left his rivals unable to respond. His victory not only secured the stage win but also earned him the yellow jersey, with a lead of nearly 10 seconds over Ed-Doghmy. The upcoming third stage, the Bobo-Dioulasso criterium (116.1 km), traditionally advantageous for Burkinabe cyclists, will be critical in shaping the competition’s trajectory.
