January 18, 2016 marked the start of the 11th edition of the Tropical Amissa Bongo (18-24 January) for the second consecutive year. Led by a former French professional, Yves Beau, the Stradalli _ Bike Aid team has the distinction of hosting the last three years of top African athletes and allowing them to compete with professionals in European and African races.
Stradalli - Bike Aid completed stage 3 of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo today placing Niko Holler riding the Stradalli carbon Aversa in fifth place on the most grueling, hilly stage of the 7 day UCI 2.1 race.
The race finished in an uphill sprint with Adrien Petit of France’s Direct Energie, formerly Europcar, taking first place. The sprint was very close with Jarrier Benoit of Fortune – Vital Concept finishing on the wheel in second and Andrea Palini of Skydive Dubai Pro Cycling Team rounding out the podium in third.
Former riders such as Namibian Dan Craven were spotted by Bernaudeau for Team Europcar two years ago. Recently, the Eritrean Mekseb Debesay was recruited by Team Dimension Data, South Africa’s UCI World Tour Team with team mate mark Cavendish
"With the energy and effort of our sponsors we are able to combine the sporting progression of our riders and our involvement in educational projects in Africa,” Stradalli – Bike Aid staff said.
The Stradalli - Bike Aid team also continues humanitarian work for children in Africa. The success of Mekseb Debesay in 2014 when he was named Best African Cyclist of the year and 2015 with 8 wins UCI obtained the highest score by an African rider on the mainland last year, gave ideas to leaders of the German Continental professional team who have decided to move to the next level with six African riders in 2016.
Three will be present this week on roads of Gabon with former Eritrean national champion Meron Teshome, Tanzanian Richard Laizer and Jean Bosco Nsengimana of Rwanda who in November won brilliantly the Tour of Rwanda.
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