On Sunday, May 10th, the Palmafrique site, located in Eloka (Bingerville), was alive with the excitement of the 5th edition of the YAD Tour . Having become a key event on the sporting calendar, this competition confirmed its status as a benchmark by bringing together elite athletes and passionate off-road cyclists.

A meticulously planned and innovative organization

At dawn, nearly 200 runners tackled a 43.05 km circuit (3 laps of 14.35 km). While the course was considered "fast," it was nonetheless demanding, requiring strategic effort management.

This edition particularly stood out for its technical excellence :

1. State-of-the-art timing: The use of RFID chips, coupled with manual scoring, made it possible to proclaim the official results in less than 40 minutes.
2. Safety and comfort: Sanitary facilities, on-site medical assistance and logistical support provided a high-level experience for athletes and spectators.

Mountain biking is on the rise: Heading to the African Championships

Present for the occasion, Dr. Allah Kouamé , president of the Ivorian Federation and the African Cycling Confederation, praised the exemplary work of the ABO club:

"It's now a 'classic' event eagerly awaited by everyone. Seeing more than 150 athletes involved testifies to the incredible vitality of mountain biking in Ivory Coast."

This success serves as an ideal springboard for the major event to come: Ivory Coast will host the 20th edition of the African Mountain Bike Championships on May 30th and 31st. A crucial event where local riders will try to shine on home soil.

Honor Roll: The podium finishers of the 5th edition

Category	Winner (Gold)	2nd (Silver)	3rd (Bronze)
Elite	Loukou Kouakou (30.03 km/h)	Asse Amde	Amde Kouakou
Masters 1	Denold Yeboua (28.71 km/h)	Abekoua James	Yakou Boeis
Masters 2	Gnankou Vincent (28.69 km/h)	Mel N'Guessan	Kouadio Jean Crépín
Masters 3	Paul Gautier (28.68 km/h)	Lassine Bamba	Cathenoz Thibaut
Juniors	Traoré Ibrahima (26.76 km/h)	Zare Hadari	Sidibé Ibrahim
Ladies	Marion Julie (24.14 km/h)	Yabré Ramata	Ukanwa Maria
Veterans	Deparday James (24.48 km/h)	This is Yann Corvec	Odattara Sylvestre

Note: In the Junior category, the recorded times place Ibrahima Traoré at the top of the timed performance.

In summary: Between technological prowess and high-flying physical performances, the YAD Tour 2026 stands out as the last major test before the continental event at the end of the month.