Eritrea already making their mark

For today’s opening of the second edition of the UCI Tour de l’Espoir race for cyclists under 23, the Eritrean national team played up to expectations by winning the first stage: the 18.8-km team time trial through the streets of Douala.

After winning three of the four stages in 2018, the Eritreans dominated their opponents in a demanding discipline for which a collective team spirit is pivotal. They beat their Rwandan opponents (7th today) by more than a minute, after the latter had topped the final ranking a year ago thanks to Joseph Areruya.

Aside from Algeria, 2nd at 14”, and Portugal, 3rd at 25”, team Eritrea has already opened up a wide lead in the general ranking, where young Yakob Debesay holds first place. He will have the honor of wearing the yellow jersey tomorrow during the second stage of the race in Douala.