Moroccan cyclists on the podium of the first stage....

On Friday, during the first stage of the 35th International Tour of Burkina Faso, Moroccan cyclists Mouhcine Kouraji, Adil Arbaoui, and Driss Alouani made a striking impression by claiming the top spots on the podium, marking a strong start for the Moroccan team. Mohcine Kouraji won this initial stage from Koulbila to Tenkodo (136 km), clocking in at 3 hours, 2 minutes, and 45 seconds, with an impressive average speed of 44.814 km/h, thereby securing the yellow jersey.

His teammates, Adil Arbaoui and Driss Alouani, took second and third places, leaving their competitors behind, including Burkinabe cyclist Bamassi Soulama, who finished fourth. This overall performance underscores Morocco’s dominance in the competition, led by Mouhssine Lahssaini, a former winner of the Tour Faso in 2015.

The 35th edition of the Tour, spanning 1.193.8 km over 10 stages, features a range of high-level teams. Cyclists will navigate varied routes, from the shortest stage of 85.5 km between Bobo-Dioulasso and Banfora to the longest stage of 145.8 km from Kombissiri to Kaya.

Having previously won the Tour du Faso in 2002, 2007, 2009, 2015, and 2017, Morocco aims to replicate its success against teams from Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Nigeria, as well as Belgian, Russian, Dutch, and local formations.