Eritrean Cyclists Need to Pull Their Best Performance Tomorrow to Hold off the Algerians

The Eritrean cycling team dominated at the last stage of Tour International de Setif, having won the top 5 places in the event.

By Alula Abraha

In the most bizarre of circumstances, Amanuel, who had finished 7th in stage-2 today, has found himself leading the GC championship for the yellow Jersey..... Considering the fact that the 20-plus marauding Algerian riders making the race difficult to the already depleted Eritrean side of only 5 rider(with Meron Abraham out of the race), it must be a remarkable result. In fact, considering the race condition, our Eri riders couldn't have done better. Now with a cushy 48 second lead in the GC, Amanuel looks certain to win the Tour international de Constantine in the last stage tomorrow. The only trouble for tomorrow is that Eritrea's inform rider, Mekseb, is out of the race tomorrow because he, for reason not yet known, was unable to finish the race today. Mekseb's and his teammate's effort must have helped destroy the field today to be able to put Amanuel in a driving position with an advantage of 48seconds ahead of the nearest Algeri. 8 Algerians are right behind him in the GC, of which 7 of them might fancy their chances to split the peloton tomorrow and increase the gap to reverse the result.

Now, in the run up to the last deciding stage tomorrow, team Eritrea has also found itself further handicapped with only 4 riders against an army of 17 Algerian ready to give our riders a hell of a race tomorrow in front of their own fans. With only the help of MeHari, Aron and Dawit to count on in the final race tomorrow, Amanuel needed every help he can muster from his teammates and is expected to show sheer Eritrean grit in terms of chasing the leading groups within a touching distance and keep on breathing down their necks, particularly, Abdelmalik Madani at 48 seconds deficit. But again, team Eritrea watching over this threat might give a chance for others to slip through the net and win it against all odds....A time gap of separating Amanuel and the 3rd place is 1:16 while the time gap between all the trailing Algerian rider from 3rd place to 8th is only 1:18, which is possibly recoverable, particularly with the Algerians presence in number and racing at home in front of their fans.

Eritrea needs to pull their best performance tomorrow to hold off the Algerians.

Hope Team coach, Yonas zekarias("Halabay") gets the tactic just right for such a difficult condition.

Andiamo, Andiamo!!.....
Com'ON Ereeeeee!!....."

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