– Emmanuel Sackey of Young Stars

All Stars tall lanky Emmanuel Sackey defied all odds proving his resilience, stamina and strength as he rode from Assin Fosu in the Central Region to Atonsu, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region to be the first to cross the finishing line.

From a strong set of 67 cyclists all aiming at the yellow jersey and other rewards, it was Young Stars’ Isaac Sackey who surprised everybody and got the jersey, with team mate and known fighter Samuel Anim taking the green and red jerseys.

Captain, also of Young Stars won the blue jersey and Anthony Boakye Dankwah of River Park, Sunyani retaining the best young rider award.

The race from Assin Fosu to Atonsu was very competitive and the 145 kilometers distance was too difficult for five cyclists who were not able to finish. The first placed Sackey made a time of three hours, 46 minutes and 56 seconds to win the applause of fans who saw the finishing.

Director of the 2013 Cowbell Tour Shaaban Mohammed described the cyclists as improving and was of the opinion that Ghana has good cyclists who need encouragement and more competitions to be like the top world class cyclists.

The cyclists made an average speed of 37.5 kilometers per hour as compared to 39 kilometers per hour for last year’s race.

The third day of competition saw the vegetation of the country as very rich in food crops like palm, oranges, corn, pear, pine apples, water melon, cocoa and corn among many others.

Also the event sponsored by Promasidor Ghana Limited made more popular their product Cowbell as school children and the elderly who stood by the streets kept cheering “Cowbell Our Milk, Cowbell Our Milk”.

Cycling fans who were at the finishing point were not there for nothing. They were rewarded with Cowbell products and BIC pens, wrist watches, tee shirts and shavers.

Mr. Mark Nkrumah, Marketing Manager of Pens & Plastics Ghana Ltd noted that his company was very proud to be part of the event.

The Cowbell Tour is being run over eight regions in Ghana.