Tour du Faso analysis: Burkinabè cycling in search of its glorious past

For several years now, the Burkina Faso team has failed to impress at the Tour du Faso and on the African roads. Supporters are struggling to recognise the side that once captured the imagination, not only with its fine racing but also with the quality of its riders. The results so far fall short of the ambitions of those running Burkinabè cycling.

"The record does not live up to our expectations"

"If we take stock at the moment, it does not live up to our expectations. The support we expected from sponsors has not materialised. As a result, we have not been able to organise as many national competitions as we would have liked. Nor have we managed a very good showing from the national team. On that front, we did have support from the sports ministry, admittedly, but it falls short of what we want," explained Lazare Zabré, vice-president of the Burkinabè Cycling Federation (FBC).

The official added: "Cycling is a sport that does not lie. It is gruelling, but you have to invest in preparation, because if you are not well prepared, it is hard to take on the big names at international level. But I can say this is only a setback, not the end of the story. Keeping a club and its riders going costs a fortune. So I applaud the courage and determination of those officials who, despite the difficulties, keep supporting the riders."

"We are facing enormous difficulties"

For his part, Prosper Tapsoba, vice-president of the club AS Bessel, said: "Burkinabè cycling is not doing as well as we would like. As a club, we are facing enormous difficulties on the ground, and we say that at the moment there is a lot to be done to meet the challenge."

Several great generations have left their mark on Burkinabè cycling. The one before 1990 and 2000 was defined by Mady Kaboré, Maxime Ouédraogo, Aimé Zongo, Saïdou Rouamba, Maurice Sawadogo, Karim Yaméogo and Ernest Zongo, and the one that followed by Abdoul Wahab Sawadogo, Rabaki Jérémie Ouédraogo, Hamidou Zidweiba, Rasmané Ouédraogo, Abdoul Aziz Nikiema, Harouna Ilboudo and Mathias Sorgho, along with the arrival at the helm of the team of Martin Sawadogo, the FBC's national technical director.

Burkina Faso has the best record in the history of the Tour du Faso. Since its creation in 1987, Burkina has won a total of 15 titles in 33 editions. After conquering the Tour du Faso, the cycling Stallions extended their reach across the continent, winning prestigious races in Togo, several times in Benin, in Mali, in Côte d'Ivoire and in Guinea.

How can they rediscover the old spark?

For a team to be competitive, it takes vision, organisation, a decision by officials to have top riders who can stay the course, and state involvement to help the team regain its former lustre. "Find a format to reorganise the national championships and make them more competitive. We can structure the categories so that we have elites, juniors, cadets, amateurs and so on, with rankings for each category. We also have a plan: to train some riders here and others elsewhere, in training centres we have already contacted. Beyond these details, we are waiting for the state to support us," said Lazare Zabré, vice-president of the FBC, who hopes that, with these investments made, results will soon follow.

In three months, the 34th edition of the Tour du Faso will get under way. Burkina's last title dates back to 2018. Officials want to see the title drought end this year.

Ablam GNAMESSO