It was shouts of ecstasy as Sodiq Godwin Ajibade of Oyo State powered through a sprint finish to emerge as winner of the 2013 Cyclefest Championship at the National Stadium, Surulere on Sunday. Caleb Kalizibe (Bayelsa) and Goodnews Cifford (Rivers) emerged 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively. In the Women Professional category, all podium positions were won by the Rivers state trio of Gloria Odiase, Rita Aggo and Rosemary Marcus.


In chat with the media shortly after the race, a visibly excited Ajibade disclosed that ,” I am very happy with the organisers – Cycle Shop and GSK- for providing this opportunity to compete. I look forward to more of such with more government involvement so that Nigeria can continue to grow the sport and become a reckonable global force in cycling. I thank God for my previous experience in Algiers, Mozambique and at the Garden City Games.”

The cycling athletes rigorously cycled a total of 270 kilometre stretch of road, with rainfall part of the way on the Lagos terrain, starting from the National Stadium and routing  Eko Bridge - Marina - Bonny Camp - Ahmadu Bello - BarBeach - 1004 - Falomo - Bourdilon - Foreshore - 3MB - Oworoshoki - Ojota - Otedola gardens - Alausa - Awolowo Way - Allen.Opebi - Sheraton - Bank Anthony - Airport - AgegeMotorWay - Oshodi - Anthony - MaryLand - Ikorodu Road - Western Avenue and back to the Stadium.

Responding to journalists, Inyang Effiong, Lead Principal, Cycle Shop Limited, organizer of the event stated that, “The level of the organisation shows that Nigeria can host cycling competition.” Addind that, “Our intention as organisers is to make cycling attractive to people of all age and profession, both as a means of livelihood as well as a recreational endeavour.”  Other sponsors  such as GSK - Lucozade Sport (Official Sports Drink), Equity Assurance PLC, Books on the Loose – BOTL, Canig Solutions (Events Support & Media), SSC - SijiSoetan & Co (Events Legal Services), CRI (Event Emergency Management) and Benola (Official Charity Organisation) were fully on ground.


This is the maiden Cyclefest National Cycling Championship. A total of 250 cyclists from 16 state cycling teams and four recreational cycling clubs participated. It was sanctioned by the  Nigerian Cycling Federation and the Lagos State Cycling Association.

Sweetie, I'm very proud of you


We're doing big things

Congrats To Him

coolies! It was thrilling to see live!

Whoa! 270 kms!!! . I'm sure they must have hit some potholes along the way . Kudos to the organisers. Cycling is one of the sports I wish we can develop in Nigeria.

Allahu Akbar!!

Is this the same Sodiq we went to Creche together!

Fresh Hair Till 2019!!

[size=30]We Give Up!![/size]

Nigeria shouldn't be wanting of good competitive cyclist. Growing up, I remember a host of guys in many Secondary school who will abscond from school but instead devout their time to cycling behind d school fence.

Many raw talents in Nigeria waiting to be discovered.

Nigeria's got talent.

Good development.

Congrats to him oo...........Make dem Organise CRICKET FEST make I still participate na.!!

Congrats @sodiq

Reminds me of my bicycle I never knew car would be more treasurable..

But hey this is one fantastic sports Nigeria should explore n invest

A welcome development.
Congratulation to the WINNER.
I pray for the continuity of this sport.

Congrat bro

[color=#770077][/color] well done Bro

270 km!! This one no be beans oh. Congrats to Sodiq, the runner-ups and dose River State ladies.

Other sports should be encouraged too in naija...not all of us are football freaks.

#Team LawnTennis#

The cycling athletes rigorously cycled a total of 270 kilometre stretch of road, with rainfall part of the way on the Lagos terrain, starting from the National Stadium and routing Eko Bridge - Marina - Bonny Camp - Ahmadu Bello - BarBeach - 1004 - Falomo - Bourdilon - Foreshore - 3MB - Oworoshoki - Ojota - Otedola gardens - Alausa - Awolowo Way - Allen.Opebi - Sheraton - Bank Anthony - Airport - AgegeMotorWay - Oshodi - Anthony - MaryLand - Ikorodu Road - Western Avenue and back to the Stadium.

Is this distance up to 270 km ?

I witnessed an accident with one of those guys yesterday. It happened around National Stadium. With the look of things, he may not survive it. A lot of them had to stop right there.

270 km my foot na. That would take them 10 hours to do the course at an average of 27 km/h.

kayoday:
The cycling athletes rigorously cycled a total of 270 kilometre stretch of road, with rainfall part of the way on the Lagos terrain, starting from the National Stadium and routing Eko Bridge - Marina - Bonny Camp - Ahmadu Bello - BarBeach - 1004 - Falomo - Bourdilon - Foreshore - 3MB - Oworoshoki - Ojota - Otedola gardens - Alausa - Awolowo Way - Allen.Opebi - Sheraton - Bank Anthony - Airport - AgegeMotorWay - Oshodi - Anthony - MaryLand - Ikorodu Road - Western Avenue and back to the Stadium.

Is this distance up to 270 km ?

I wonder too o. I think that is more like 27km.

Chasitty001: I witnessed an accident with one of those guys yesterday. It happened around National Stadium. With the look of things, he may not survive it. A lot of them had to stop right there.

You are right, there was an accident around the stadium just before the finishing line. However, the organizers had paramedics following the cyclist so all those who had crashes were quickly attended to and there was no casualty. A few of them sustained injuries though. Crashes are a part of the game.

ireke:

I wonder too o. I think that is more like 27km.

The OP exaggerated, the total distance was about 100km.

Congrats to the organizers, winners and all participants. Cycling is a wonderful sport. I hope that following this event and more to come, there will be cycle-friendly roads in more parts of Lagos.

kayoday:
The cycling athletes rigorously cycled a total of 270 kilometre stretch of road, with rainfall part of the way on the Lagos terrain, starting from the National Stadium and routing Eko Bridge - Marina - Bonny Camp - Ahmadu Bello - BarBeach - 1004 - Falomo - Bourdilon - Foreshore - 3MB - Oworoshoki - Ojota - Otedola gardens - Alausa - Awolowo Way - Allen.Opebi - Sheraton - Bank Anthony - Airport - AgegeMotorWay - Oshodi - Anthony - MaryLand - Ikorodu Road - Western Avenue and back to the Stadium.

Is this distance up to 270 km ?

It is not up to 270 km.

Edited

kayoday:
The cycling athletes rigorously cycled a total of 270 kilometre stretch of road, with rainfall part of the way on the Lagos terrain, starting from the National Stadium and routing Eko Bridge - Marina - Bonny Camp - Ahmadu Bello - BarBeach - 1004 - Falomo - Bourdilon - Foreshore - 3MB - Oworoshoki - Ojota - Otedola gardens - Alausa - Awolowo Way - Allen.Opebi - Sheraton - Bank Anthony - Airport - AgegeMotorWay - Oshodi - Anthony - MaryLand - Ikorodu Road - Western Avenue and back to the Stadium.

Is this distance up to 270 km ?

That aint possible because i know Lagos to benin city is about 300 km...........

I witnessed the commencement of the race. I took some pics with my 'nokia torch' of the cyclists just before the race.

Congrats to the winner, my name sake

We no dey carry last. I'm also good on the track

kayoday:
The cycling athletes rigorously cycled a total of 270 kilometre stretch of road, with rainfall part of the way on the Lagos terrain, starting from the National Stadium and routing Eko Bridge - Marina - Bonny Camp - Ahmadu Bello - BarBeach - 1004 - Falomo - Bourdilon - Foreshore - 3MB - Oworoshoki - Ojota - Otedola gardens - Alausa - Awolowo Way - Allen.Opebi - Sheraton - Bank Anthony - Airport - AgegeMotorWay - Oshodi - Anthony - MaryLand - Ikorodu Road - Western Avenue and back to the Stadium.

Is this distance up to 270 km ?

No it is not up to 270km.
The route outlined above was for the men's professional race = 95km
Women's professional was a different route = 40km
Men's Amateur = 60km
Men's recreational = 45km (I rode in and completed this category )
Women's recreational = 30km

Total = 270km (approximate)

bornosheikh: 270 km my foot na. That would take them 10 hours to do the course at an average of 27 km/h.

Total distance was 100km for the pro-Men, Pro-men do an ave of 45-50km/h, race was completed in around 2hrs.

Shagati:

No it is not up to 270km.
The route outlined above was for the men's professional race = 95km
Women's professional was a different route = 40km
Men's Amateur = 60km
Men's recreational = 45km (I rode in and completed this category )
Women's recreational = 30km

Total = 270km (approximate)

*clears throat* Bros, wetin you carry?