L-R : Tijani Quwam, Silver medalist; Michael Efengbe, Project Coordinator, Cycling Lagos;  Masud Garba, Gold medalist;  Mr. Oluwatoyin Gafaar, Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission; Babatunde Adesina, Bronze medalist and Bamidele Adeleye, Convener of Cycling Lagos and Managing Director, BrandEscort Communications during the 2nd Cycling Lagos' Grand Finale held on Saturday, December 23, 2023. Credit BrandEscort

By Adetunji Faleye

The culmination of the second edition of Africa's premier sporting spectacle, Cycling Lagos, marked the conclusion of the sporting calendar with exhilarating moments. Cyclist Masud Garba clinched a gold medal in the fiercely contested tournament, emerging as the victor among male professionals at the grand finale of the 2nd Cycling Lagos.

Masud displayed exceptional prowess by completing the race in 1:09:55 seconds, outshining his closest competitor, Tijani Quwam, who secured second place with an impressive timing of 1:10:22 seconds. Babatunde Adesina claimed the third position, crossing the finish line in 1:10:34 seconds. Despite the remarkable performances of the runners-up, Masud stood out as the frontrunner.

In the female category, Patricia Nunachi claimed the top spot, completing the race in 59:17 seconds. She outpaced Ajibade Elizabeth, who secured the second position with a time of 1:14:35 seconds, and Iburahim Ramat, who finished third in 1:16:52 seconds.

Oluwatoyin Gafaar, the Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, expressed delight at the event, commending the Cycling Lagos initiative as a positive step toward engaging the youth and aligning with the state's developmental agenda. Gafaar emphasized the ongoing commitment to supporting associations that promote inclusive youth programs, highlighting the proximity of the National Sports Festival in November.

Expressing gratitude to sponsors and partners, Gafaar encouraged the organizers to continue their commendable efforts, recognizing that history would be the ultimate judge.

Bamidele Adeleye, the convener of Cycling Lagos and Managing Director of Brand Escort Communications, emphasized the wealth of talented young cyclists in Nigeria. He underscored the need for continued collaboration between the government and corporate entities to foster local engagement through events like Cycling Lagos, preparing cyclists for international competitions.

Cycling Lagos, an annual cycling extravaganza attracting participants from across the country, unfolded its second edition on October 21, 2023, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. Themed "Greener Ride," the event aimed to promote an environmentally friendly lifestyle. The grand finale, covering a 52km race for males and a 42km race for females, traversed from Teslim Balogun Stadium to Dolphin Estate and back.

In partnership with the Lagos State Sports Commission and Lagos State Cycling Association, the event garnered support from Seven-Up Bottling Company, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc, and other sponsors.

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