Frédérique Robert (Wanty) won last stage. Eritrean Natnael Berhane (Europcar) won the final classement – first ever win by an African Rider
By CapitalEritrea,
Natnael Berhane (Europcar) has won the 9th edition of the Tropical Amissa Bongo 2014, becoming the first-ever victory of an African rider competing in the race.
Since its first launch in 2006 the race was won by European athletes, seven times by France and once by Finland.
The race attracts 45 nationalities, among them Gabon, France, Burkina Faso, Eritrean, Ivory Coast , Morocco, Rwanda, Belgium, Italy, America, Canada , Russia , Finland and Sweden.
Natnael joins the list of successful athletes to win the race competing against riders accustomed to the Tour de France.
Leading Tropical Amissa Bongo’s list of winners and record holders is Anthony Charteau (three times), followed by Yohann Gene with the most stage victories (6 success), ahead of Belgian Robert Dockx, German and French Jégou Heiny and Martias (2 success each).
Three Africans have won a stage, James Ball (South Africa), Daniel Teklehaimanot (Eritrea) and Natnael Berhane (Eritrea).
Beginning of last year the Eritrean finished 2nd place in the General Classification (GC) of the Tour of Turkey behind Turkish rider Sayar Mustafa of Konya Torku Seker.
Eurosport cycling commentators described Natnael Berhane as the most outstanding character and surprise of the entire Tour of Turkey.
In Gabon Natnael did it again with another historic victory for Eritrea and the African cycling sport.
| Pos. | Rider | Team | AfT | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BERHANE Natnael [www.procyclingstats.com] | Team Europcar | 80 | 100 |
| 2 | SANCHEZ GIL Luis Leon | Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | 56 | 70 |
| 3 | GARCíA ETXEGIBEL Egoitz | Cofidis Solutions Crédits | 32 | 50 |
| 4 | HABEAUX Gregory | Wanty – Groupe Gobert | 24 | 36 |
| 5 | GERDEMANN Linus [www.procyclingstats.com] | Team MTN Qhubeka | 20 | 28 |
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Natnael Berhane Declared Final Winner of La Tropicale 2014
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By biciciclismo.com,
Fréderique Robert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) won the seventh and final stage of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo (2.1, Gabon) after defeating the seventh stage, Owendo-Libreville (130 kms).
Natnael Berhane (Europcar) has been declared final winner to snatch the top spot after Luis León Sánchez (Caja Rural-RGA) thanks to the bonus.
Natnael Berhane (1991) Eritrean chosen best African cyclist 2013, has managed to move from the first position to Luis León Sánchez, leader since his victory on the first day. Europcar racer showed his progression last year with a stage win and second place in the Tour of Turkey, Mustafa Sayar behind after testing positive for EPO. The win keeps passing, the streak of his team, as Charteau won between 2010 and 2012 and last year Gene.
For Wanty, the beginning could not be better in Gabon, with four stage victories, the last two of Robert plus of Baugnies and Jans. (Software Translation from French)
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