Stage One gallery

Images from our photographer on the ground Matt Grayson.

The 2022 SiS Tour De Lunsar kicked off today with the Women’s and Junior races. The out and back route saw riders in both races set off from Lunsar to Port Loko and back again, with all involved setting off at the same time.

In the Women’s race, the early indications were that Elizabeth Mansaray of Lunsar Cycling Team was going to take the race by storm. Mansaray attacked early and was left working for herself for most of the day with a large chasing group sat behind. This group contained the pre-race favourite Deborah Conteh (also from Lunsar Cycling Team) and was working well behind the solo leader.

Conteh later broke free of this group and bridged the gap to her lone teammate as they approached the finish in Lunsar. In the end it was no contest, with the relatively fresh Conteh outsprinting a bitterly disappointed Mansaray. This was a victory three years in the making for Conteh though, who had twice before tasted defeat here before. The LeCol Blue Jersey was her reward.

Over in the Junior race, it was a familiar face that took the victory with Ibrahim Kamara of Lunsar Cycling Team defending his LeCol Green Jersey from 2021. Early in the day, a five-man break containing Kamara found itself off the front and was never seen again. 

As the day went on, the attacks began to come, and it was soon down to two with Kamara and Alhassan Marrah of Makeni Cycling Team going head-to-head for the win. Kamara proved too strong an opponent for the Makeni man and dutifully took his second successive win. 

It was disappointment turned into triumph for Kamara, who was dropped from the Lunsar Cycling A elite team after initially being in their roster for the race. Maybe next year he’ll make the step up and battle for Yellow?

Results

Women’s Race 

1.  Deborah Conteh
2. Elizabeth Mansaray
3. Blessing Jane Jabbie 

Junior Race

1.    Ibrahim Kamara
2. Alhassan Marrah
3. Ibrahim Turay

By Luke Williams