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5th Tour of Eritrea - NE
Eritrea, March 18-27, 2005
Main Page Results Previous Stage Next Stage
Stage 1 - March 19: Asmara - Adi Quala - Asmara, 172km
Telecom on top
By Oyéshiku Carr
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Proving that their strong showing in yesterday's prologue was no fluke, the boys from Telecom Eritrea swept the podium this afternoon. In doing so they served notice to the rest of the field that whoever wants to win the Tour of Eritrea will have to take the jersey off the back of a Telecom rider.
All 114 riders turned up for what proved to be another brilliant day. The riders raced out of Asmara through the center of town via Harnet (Independence) and Sematat (Martyrs') Avenues before finding the race route, which traveled via Mendefera to Adi Quala and back to Asmara. All along the route, the riders were greeted by clapping children and ululating women who came out in the thousands today to support the race.
The pace was leisurely over the first three hours with the only real challenges coming from domesticated animals and sections of road rougher than the mythical pave of Paris-Roubaix. Telecom rode at the front all day and initiated a break with about 50km to go that yo-yoed at the front of a slightly diminished peleton before finally snapping free.
With 25km to go the peleton was strung out and soon thereafter began shedding riders like chaff. Less than forty racers reached the base of the steep 5km climb that took the race to its final elevation of 7700 feet. The climb proved too much for most of the racers who wound their way to the top in huddling packs of two and three. By now the Telecom-powered break had flown the coup and all that was left to be decided was which Telecom rider would wear the victor's laurels. That honor went to Michael Misghena, who initiated a solo move before the base of the final climb to win ahead of Muse Tekleab and take the overall lead.
Dutchman Erik Ruesing (Marco Polo Cycling Club) found the combination of altitude and heat hard going today. His torn up hands were a testament to the roughness of the route, which he rode without gloves. 'Live and learn,' was his sage observation in addition to relief that he made the cutoff and can therefore remain an official participant in the race. He also commented on the sportsmanship of the Eritrean riders who he said displayed much more 'tolerance' than their European counterparts. Tomorrow's Stage 2 is an 80 lap 130km criterium in Asmara's city centre.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Oyeshiku Carr
- Doing it tough on the final climb of stage one
- Riders ready to depart stage one of the Tour of Eritrea
- Muse Tekleab (Telecom Eritrea) dominated early
Results
1 Michael Misghena (Telecom Eritrea) 4.45.00 2 Muse Tekleab (Telecom Eritrea) 4.30 3 Michael Tuku (Telecom Eritrea) 4 Aklilou Haile (Hidri) 5 Yonas Zerai (Telecom Eritrea) General Classification after Stage 1 1 Michael Misghena (Telecom Eritrea) 4.45.00 2 Muse Tekleab (Telecom Eritrea) 3 Michael Tuku (Telecom Eritrea) 4 Ivan Zacarias (Hamalait) 5 Isisas Woldetesai (Red Sea)
