LAGOS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 3rd Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) International Cycling Tour flagged off on Wednesday in Lagos, with 90 cyclists from 15-member nations of the regional bloc, participating in the event.
The tour, which kick started in Nigeria's commercial hub and terminate in the Ivorian commercial capital, Abidjan would run from Nov. 13 to Nov. 17.
President of the West Africa Cycling Union (WACU), Alhaji Mohammed Nur Sheriff, said at the opening ceremony that the race would go over four stages, covering 450 kilometers.
He named the four stages as Lagos-Cotonou; Ouidah-Lome; Accra- Cape Coast and Aboisso-Abidjan, with three motorized transfers in between.
The event will witness an increase in the number of cyclists from 66 at the second edition in 2012 to 90 in 2013, Mur Sheriff told reporters.
The caravan will traverse five countries -- Nigeria, (starting point), Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana and Cote d' Ivoire (the finishing point).
There will be cash award prizes and trophies for winners at various stages of the race as well as the overall tour winner in both individual and team standings. There will also be prizes for sprints and the best young cyclist in the tour.
The race would pass through good and challenging terrain, including bad roads, scorching heat and strong winds.
The race was initiated by ECOWAS to further promote the ideals of regional integration of free movement of persons across various borders. The first and second editions of the competition were held in 2009 and 2012 respectively.
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