It was a final frenetic finish by the predictable defending champion, Henok Mulubrhan in a time of 3,04,27 to secure the gold medal in the 120km Road battle over 11 laps.
Hamza Yacine of Algeria came second with Moroccan Achraf El Dugmy placing third at a similar time. Over 16 riders sprang to the bunch finish, but the witty Eritrean had to squeeze water out of the stone to drop ahead of his compatriots in this heated road work.
A total of 84 riders started the process, building up a hefty bunch of battles even in the 3rd and 4th lap. All riders concentrate on any modus to outwit the busy bunch.
By the 5th lap, Burkinabe import Paul Damont had pulled up his best and had registered his presence in the breakaway. Closely paced by Mauritius.
The sun, at this stage, was very excellent, giving the riders a respite to deliver on their cranks.
By the 9th lap, the Eritreans had taken control of the breakaway bunch. Five riders were in deep custody of the bunch and had tactically masterminded the Frontline.
One more lap to go, and the crowd could hardly sit. The Eritrean locals in Ghana began the chants and developed confident optimism.
When the breakaway bunch negotiated the bend on the far side and began the onslaught towards the finish line, hell broke loose.
The cluster of the approaching peloton scattered 50 metres to the finish line. Henok, located in the middle, looked back and sprang out from the rounded bunch.
He elevated himself on his bicycle and like a flash of lightning, crossed the white line. He had repeated the same feat he chalked in the last Edition. The scoreboard registered the fair, cool and shy-looking Eritrean as the reigning champion in the Men’s Elite Road Race category.
The closing ceremony was spectacular with the Eritreans taking centre stage. The dance, the chants and the ecstasy that climaxed the presentations were simply fantastic.
Africa has a new hero in the Men’s Elite Road Race.
Story by George Opoku Boateng
