Former Cowbell Cycling Challenge winner, Frank Akuffo, put up an enthralling sprint finish to win the Osu stage of the 2019 Cowbell Cycling Challenge Homowo Edition in Accra last Sunday.
A photo-finish was required to separate the 22-year-old Osu native, who won the 2017 edition of the same event, from second-placed Abinon Ayen and third-placed Michael Agbugblah after the three riders completed the 26-lap course within microseconds of each other in a time of 3:3:56 seconds.
But for the early celebration of Togolese Ayen, who raised his hands off his bicycle handlebar before crossing the finish line of the 81-kilometre criterium road race (a bike race consisting of several laps around a closed circuit), pre-race favourite Akuffo would have placed second.
Amid wild celebrations from residents of the Osu Anorhor community who were out to cheer their clansman, Akuffo told the Daily Graphic that his best quality as a cyclist was his ability as a sprinter and he was glad that it won him the race.
He said he felt the weight of the expectant crowd during the race but used it as a motivation to win.
“As I headed towards the finishing line, I did what I did best, which is sprinting, and it won me the title. You have to cross before raising your hands; someone has won a race from me in a similar fashion before and the Togolese has to work on that in future races,” an excited Akuffo said.
Akuffo received a GH¢1,000 cash prize, as well as assorted Cowbell products and souvenirs from the sponsor, Promasidor Ghana Limited. Ayen and Agbugblah also received products, as well as GH¢700 and GH¢500, respectively, for their efforts.
The second stage of the 2019 Cowbell Cycling Challenge Homowo Edition comes off on August 31 at Prampram.
Source: Graphic Sports
Samuel A. Boakye-Buckman (popularly known as Dada Oliseh) is a self-motivated young journalist with a passion for telling stories better with pictures. He is the founder, owner, editor and bankroller of www.ghanasoccernews.org as well as this website, www.totalsportsgh.com. Dada Oliseh is again the brain behind the Dada Oliseh Photos brand that produces awesome pictures of all sporting activities, nature, and other occasions.
He has a vast experience in the reporting of sports in Ghana especially football-related activities in Ghana and beyond. A former employee of Hearts News (official mouthpiece of Accra Hearts of Oak), 90 minutes sports paper, National Sports Authority, Footballcrusader.com, sportscrusader.com, and ghanafootballnews.com, Samuel is one of the few energetic and self-motivated young journalist in Ghana with a large following on social media, especially Facebook (https://web.facebook.com/boakye.buckman.9). He is well known for his frequent updates from all over the country with pictures to match. He is also a correspondent for a few international websites, including CAF. In recent times, he has introduced, as part of his many talents, the live streaming of matches and football-related activities. He lives in Accra Ghana.