SiS Tour de Lunsar Stage 1 – Photo Gallery

All the action from the first stage of men’s racing at the 2021 SiS Tour de Lunsar from Freetown - Lunsar

After a quite brilliant opening day of racing, Osman T Kalokoh (Lunsar A) outsprinted Abu Sheik Sesay (Lunsar B) and Sorie Koroma (Lunsar A) to take the first Le Col yellow leaders jersey of this years Science in Sport Tour de Lunsar.

As you will see in the gallery below, that is only half the story. Abu Sheik Sesay embarked on a solo ride as the trio of leaders closed in on Lunsar and was only caught with metres to spare, missing the stage win by a tyres width. He came away with the lead in the KOM and sprints classifications as a consolation.

All photographs belong to Lunsar Cycling Team, and were shot by Matt Grayson.

The Peloton passes under the Cotton Tree in the centre of Freetown. According to legend, the "Cotton Tree" gained importance in 1792 when a group of former African American slaves who had gained their freedom settled the site of modern Freetown.

The peloton during the neutralised section on their way out of Freetown heading towards Waterloo where the race started proper.

The peloton on their way to Okra Hill.

There were a few issues for riders on the road to Rogbere Junction. A few riders suffered punctures but thanks to the neutral support provided by Africa Rising, were able to get back on their bikes.

The expectation.

A lead group formed of (front to back) Abu Sheik Sesay (Lunsar B), Osman T Kalokoh (Lunsar A) and Sorie Koroma (Lunsar A). The trio worked well together and quickly extended a lead of 2 minutes over the peloton.

With Lunsar getting ever closer, Abu Sheik Sesay (Lunsar B) goes on a daring solo attack. The move meant that he lead through the Okra Hill KOM and Masiaka sprint.

The two chasers Osman T Kalokoh (Lunsar A) and Sorie Koroma (Lunsar A) caught Sheik Sesay (Lunsar B) coming in to Lunsar but the youngster still had enough energy in the tank to contest the sprint.

(R-L) Osman T Kalokoh (Lunsar A) outsprint Sheik Sesay (Lunsar B) to the line, winning the day by a final lunge and taking the first stage by a tyre’s width. A perfectly executed move from one of our team’s senior riders, Osman benefited from clever tactics and the use of teammate Sorie Koroma to make sure of the win.

Lunsar celebrates Osman T Kalokoh at the finish.

The passion, the support, the pride and the achievement of Abu Sheik Sesay’s solo ride is beautifully encapsulated in this image.

Abu Sheik Sesay (Lunsar B) tucks into some nourishment at the end of stage one. A brilliant day in the saddle, we look forward to seeing what he can do in the coming days.

The podium of stage one, Freetown - Lunsar:

🥇Osman T Kalokoh (Lunsar A)

🥈Abu Sheik Sesay (Lunsar B)

🥉Sorie Koroma (Lunsar A)

Osman T Kalokoh (Lunsar A) leads the race and therefore will wear the Le Col leaders jersey.

A moment of reflection for Osman T Kalokoh who finished second in the 2019 edition of the race. With two days of racing to go, can he go one better and win the race overall?

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