COTONOU, Burkina Faso, May 18 (Xinhua) -- 21-year-old cyclist Paul Daumont from Burkina Faso won the first stage of Benin's 16th International Cycling Tour that kicked off on Monday, Beninese cycling federation reported.
Daumont rode the 123km long stage from Djougou to Boukoumbe in 3 hours 13 minutes and 53 seconds, followed by his compatriot Harouna Ilboudo, the source said.
Riders from the six African countries Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Niger, Burkina-Faso, and Benin kicked off the competition.
The 100km long next stage, between the cities of Toucountouna and Djougou, will be held on Tuesday.
Slated to close on May 22 in the economic capital Cotonou, the six-stage race comprises 632km runs and 1,170km transshipping. Enditem
