Nigeria's Pitstop Cycling team dominates Tour de Lunsar championships in Sierra Leone

Posted : 23 April 2024

In a sheer display of dominance, cyclists from Nigeria's foremost Cycling club, Pitstop Lagos, have dominated the just-concluded Tour de Lunsar held in faraway Sierra Leone.

In the ensuing dominance, Bright Emmanuel from Team Access by Pitstop Lagos won the overall race, while Innocent Emmanuel, also from Team Access by Pitstop Lagos, emerged in second position, and Eyo Effiok from the same team came third.

In the general classification, Preye John Dede from Team Access by Pitstop Lagos emerged as the overall best, while compatriot Innocent Emmanuel, also from Team Access by Pitstop Lagos, came second.

Recall that the Tour de Lunsar was held between April 19 and 21 in Freetown.

The Tour de Lunsar was founded by Abdul Karim Kamara, a.k.a. “Stylish”, who has guided the championships since its inception in 2015 to ascension and repeated success.

Inspired by the world beyond his home, the mining town of Lunsar, which has no cycling heritage to speak of, Kamara launched the team from his bicycle repair workshop. The shop has since moved to bigger premises and become a focal point for our community.

In the few short years since its inception in 2015, the championships have gone from strength to strength in racing and community spirit.

There are now more than 30 promising young riders on the team, making Lunsar Cycling Team the largest club in Sierra Leone, also boasting the biggest women’s membership of any club in the country.

The bikers in the community train together four times a week, with each ride covering 60-120km of local roads.

However, the 2024 edition has Pitstop Lagos in attendance, parading its bikers participating in the race, with Bright Emmanuel winning the final.

The final stage of the 2024 Science in Sport Tour de Lunsar took the riders from Lunsar to Rogberi Junction and back, and featured an intriguing Criterium-style finish around the heart of Lunsar.

The route resembled that which the women and juniors faced earlier in the week and was the shortest planned stage of the race.

It took some time for the breakaway to form as the teams marked each other in the early phases.

Team Access by Pitstop Lagos could have been forgiven for taking things easier after already securing three stage wins.

This wasn’t the case though, as Bright Emmanuel launched a solo move towards the end of the local laps.

Despite Jack Duncan and Nate Mesmer of Team Mike’s Bikes attempting to close the gap, Emmanuel continued to extend his lead on the road to Rogberi Junction and held it all the way to the line.

It’s been a difficult four days of racing for the Sierra Leonean teams; however, Moses Kamara sprinted to a superb 4th place finish on the day. It is hoped that by continually racing against higher quality opposition, local riders and teams will keep on improving ahead of next year’s race.

After having all but secured both the Zwift points and Marampa Mines KOM classifications, Preye John Dede simply had to reach the finish line in order to take the jerseys back to Lagos with him.

Stage Results

1. Bright Emmanuel – Team Access by Pitstop Lagos

2. Innocent Emmanuel – Team Access by Pitstop Lagos

3. Eyo Effiok – Team Access by Pitstop Lagos

General Classification

1. Preye John Dede – Team Access by Pitstop Lagos

2. Innocent Emmanuel - Team Access by Pitstop Lagos

3. Nate Mesmer - Team Mike’s Bikes

Jersey Wearers

Science in Sport yellow jersey – Preye John Dede - Team Access by Pitstop Lagos

Marampa Mines polka-diamond jersey – Preye John Dede – Team Access by Pitstop Lagos

Zwift orange jersey – Preye John Dede – Team Access by Pitstop Lagos

Nigeria's Pitstop Cycling team dominates Tour de Lunsar championships in Sierra Leone

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