CYCLING : RID AFRIQUE STAR BOY-HUMPHREY AYITTEY, CROWNED CHAMPION OF THE MAIDEN EDITION OF DUKU FESTIVAL CYCLING RACE

Story By : Gyamfi Elizabeth Alhassan

The Madien Edition of Duku Festival Cycling Race came to a successful end with the deserving winner, Humphrey Ayittey been crowned as champion for winning the maiden edition of Duku Festival Cycling Race 2024 organised in Osu-Accra.

The 51 riders who signed up for the race all had intension of winning a medal, and by the first lap the road had begun boiling with series of breakaway especially from River Pack, FCG and Team Sky.

During the race, 51 riders began the onslaught with 22 of them getting dropped along the way including some top Cyclists due to the intense and the competitive nature of the race.

History maker, Humphrey Ayittey, beat 51 other cyclists to win this years Duku Cycling Festival Race. The criterium also produced fire works in the race with a total distance of 80.6km, comprising of 26 laps with an average of 36Km. Humphrey had a super day by winning Gold medal followed by Frank Akuffu of TBT who place second and Emmanuel Sesi placing third.

Duku Festival Cycling Race winner, Humphrey Kofi Ayittey, after the race expressed satisfaction at his performance, saying, “This is my first time winning a race organized in Ghana and it’s a proud moment for me, my teammates and my club Rid Afrique.

“I’m very pleased with my victory today. I came to win. This is the very first time in my cycling career winning a Gold medal in a prestigious race like Duku Festival Cycling race”.

He continued, “this victory, first and foremost, is not just for me, it’s for my club and the people that supported me. This is a testament to the strong team dynamics we have built. I commit to make good use of my talents to promote my self in races and most importantly make my self proud”. He concluded.

However, Justice Awuku, the chairman of Duku Festival Cycling Race spoke to the media after the competition and stated that, ”He is happy the cycling competition came to an end successfully and their goal was achieved.
“This is our first time organizing such event and we totally loved it. It would have been more than what we witnessed, but for the starters. We are okay and same as our sponsor ‘Dot Deliers Company’. We intend to do it bigger even before it get to next year than what we have witnessed today”.

He added, “Everybody at Duku Festival Cycling Race want to express their profound gratitude to their Cherish Sponsors, Ghana Cycling Federation, all Cyclists in Ghana and everybody that played a vital role to make Duku Festival Cycling Race a memorable one”.

Meanwhile, below are the cash prizes won by riders during the maiden edition of DUKU Festival Cycling Race held;

1st. Humphrey Kofi Ayittey – GH¢ 5,000.00 + Gold Medal

2nd. Frank Akuffo – GH¢ 3,000.00+ Silver Medal

3rd. Emmanuel Sessi – GH¢ 1,000.00+ Bronze Medal

4th – Francis Amu – GH¢ 600.00

5th. Maxwell Doku – GH¢ 500.00

6th. Prince Maison – GH¢ 500.00

7th. Nuru Paddy – GH¢ 400.00

8th. Annan Adams – GH¢300.00

9th. Alex Quansah – GH¢ 200.00

10th. Prince Hackman – GH¢ 200.00

Kyei Manu

I’m a Practicing Media Personnel /Freelance Journalist. The Editor/Blogger of this portal, with interest in Sports, Environmental and other Social issues that affects society.
A member of Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) and AIPS International.