Just weeks before the 14th Cameroonian Transregional (Transca), local cyclists are honing their endurance, a key weapon against the Chadian and Central African competition. During the « ça me dit vélo » (I’m in the mood for cycling) test in Yaoundé, Abdourahmane Ahmadou dominated the 90 km, confirming Cameroon,s ambitions.
During a stage of the 13th edition of the Transca.
With only a few weeks to go before the start of the 14th edition of the Cameroonian Transregional (Transca), the countdown is officially on. For local cyclists, the time for calculations is over; now is the time for fine-tuning their bodies. On July 4th, the Ngousso cycling track in Yaoundé hosted the 15th and final edition of “ ça me dit vélo.” This 90km closed circuit proved to be a merciless barometer of the athletes’ fitness, highlighting a factor that promises to be decisive for the upcoming competition: physical endurance.
On this demanding five-lap course, completed in 2 hours and 53 minutes, Abdourahmane Ahmadou reigned supreme. Already victorious in the previous stage in Kribi, the leader of Progiciel Vélo Club repeated his feat by climbing to the top step of the podium. Despite a busy professional schedule that significantly disrupted his base training, the Maroua native showcased his raw power and resilience, also securing the title of best climber. This demonstration of strength proves that endurance and the ability to sustain a high-intensity effort will be the cornerstones of Cameroonian strength in the face of future challenges.
Fierce international competition
Behind the untouchable winner, the local resistance is organizing and showing its teeth. Zidane Nguemo (EGM Vélo Club) climbed to second place, while Groumtaï (Bâtisseurs Vélo Club) completed a high-flying podium. In the team classification, EGM Vélo Club dominated, notably benefiting from mechanical problems that hampered Progiciel Vélo Club,
followed by Achega Vélo. Of the 11 riders who lined up at the start, their bodies were pushed to their absolute limits, under the watchful eye of Ahanda, representative of the Nnam tournament and new partner of Fenap Vélo AC. This major physical test comes at a pivotal moment, as the Transca 14, scheduled for the end of July, is fast approaching. Flavien Guetsa, president of the National Federation of Cycling Practitioners of Central Africa (Fenap Vélo AC), has already confirmed that the competition will welcome formidable opponents: the Sao team from Chad and the Fauves du Bas-Oubangui team from the Central African Republic.
The challenge of victory and consistency
Faced with this top-tier international competition, the four Cameroonian teams (Achéga, EGM, Bâtisseurs, and Progiciel) know they will have to be at the peak of their form to hope to succeed Yvan Njonkoué, winner of the Transca 13. The Transregionale is, par excellence, a race of attrition where managing effort, the ability to recover quickly between stages, and aerobic power take precedence over fleeting moments of brilliance. To perfect the overall fitness of the teams and fine-tune the essential tactical details, a preparation championship will be organized in the coming days. “This will allow me and my teammates to get to work,” the champion Abdourahamane Ahmadou candidly stated. One thing is now certain: between urgently addressing mechanical issues and stabilizing peak performance, Cameroonian cyclists don’t have a single minute to lose in building the endurance that will make them kings of the road.
