- Title: IVORY COAST: VETERANS CYCLING RACE IN ABIDJAN.
- Date: 20th April 1971
- Summary: 1. GV Riders preparing for start 0.03 2. MV ZOOM INTO CU Dujus 0.10 3. SV ZOOM INTO CU Aboudara 0.14 4. GV Crowd and start of race (2 shots) 0.30 5. GV & MV Riders passing (3 shots) 0.45 6. SV Onlooker 0.48 7. GV PAN riders pass through town 1.01 8. SV Crowd 1.04 9. LV PAN & SV and LV riders pass crowd (3 shots) 1.42 10. SV Crowd 1.47 11. GV PAN Grange on lone breakaway 1.54 12. MV Spectators 1.57 13. CU Arrival sign 2.00 14. GV Grange passes finishing post and crowd (2 shots) 2.13 15. SV ZOOM INTO CU Grange 2.16 16. GV PAN Tavarez comes in second 2.22 17. SV Grange receives cup and is kissed 2.30 Initials OS/2121 RJ/OS/2134 SPORT: CYCLING Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 5th May 1971 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST
- Country: Ivory Coast
- Reuters ID: LVAADI25TVSEJI19ZQQZZADGPEQY
- Story Text: Forty two veteran cyclists, whose average age was 45, took part in this year's Veteran's Cycle Race for the Camping-Gaz Cup, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Sunday. Despite the early hour, a large crowd watched the start and stayed on to cheer the winner. The race is open to anyone over the age of 35. This year the oldest competitor was aged 66. The field was predominantly European, but a handful of Africans took part. Cycling is just becoming a popular sport and as a result there were few Africans who classed as "veterans".
The event was won by 48 year old Paul Grange who covered the 22 mile (36 kms) course in one hour, two minutes and 13 seconds. Three under forties finished in the first six but on the day it was the older competitors who showed the way.
SYNOPSIS: The annual Veterans Cycle Race has been held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Despite the early hour for the start, a large crowd turned up to see the start. The race is open to any cyclist over the age of 35. The oldest competitor was aged 66.
The field was predominantly European, though there were a few Africans among the competitors. Cycling is just becoming a popular sport in the Ivory Coast, as a result there were few Africans who were eligible to enter. As the riders started out on the 22 miles (36 km) journey, there seemed no hurry to quicken the pace.
The course was set out over four circuits of a figure "8" course. The competitors included past winners of the event and cyclists who had won the blue ribbon events during their early years of racing.
It wasn't until the last lap that any of the riders forced the pace. Paul Grange, broke away from the bunch. The 48 year old cyclist retired from cycling last year. His finishing burst in this race was too much for the other competitors and he crossed the finishing line in the time of one hour two minutes 13 seconds.
Second place went to 37 year old Tavarez. Three under forties finished in the first six, but overall the older competitors showed the way.
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