6 cyclists to represent Nigeria at Togo Tour

Six Nigerian cyclists will represent Nigeria at the Togo Tour, a cycling competition that will kick off in West Africa on April 12, an official said here on Wednesday. Technical director of the Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF) Mohammed Bashir said the Nigerian team would depart for Togo on April 10, two days ahead of the competition. The team would be accompanied by three officials on the tour. The cyclists had begun intensive training ahead of the tour. "Currently, they are in Owerri (capital of southern Imo State) intensifying their training. After the monthly Classy Race in Port Harcourt (capital of oil-rich Rivers State), they will depart for Lagos, from where they would leave for Togo and give us a good showing," said Bashir. The sports administrator mentioned Emmanuel Innocent and John Preye, who were in South Africa on a training tour, as part of the six cyclists listed for the competition in Togo. The duo had been in South Africa for a training tour sponsored by the Nigerian federation, due to their wowing performances as junior cyclists. The Togo Tour is the first continental competition that Nigeria will take part in this year.