Tour of Eritrea
March 18 –27, 2005
Michael Teku Outdid Contestants in the Reign of Tour
Championship 2005
* Fans cheer Mussie Teceleab for excellent performance
By Essayas Fessahaye (EAAA)
Michael Teku from Cycling Team EriTel outdid rivals in the reign of cycling Tour Championship 2005 that was wrapped up by an Asmara criterium contest of 120 km around Bahti Meskerem Square, here in Asmara after consecutive racing days from 18th-27th March 2005.
After a tough contest for an individual crown in this year’s tour edition, Michael Teku stood ahead of his challengers – teammates Michael Misgena (Better known as Botero) and Mussie Tecleab (Tel’ae). Micheal Botero was named king of the Mountain after winning three climbing contest and gaining some additional points on the mountains. Mussie Tecleab (Tela’e) followed Botero in an overall climbing contest. Mussie (Tela’e) amazingly stole the show of Tour of Eritrea 2005 both on the stages and mountains which made him win a big round of applause, whistle and cheer by the huge crowed for giving his best in the tour after participating in Tour of Egypt last month.
Mussie is the only rider on super form from all the members of the cycling national team who headed for the 40th Tour of Egypt a month before Tour of Eritrea kicked off. Few months ago, in the year 2004, Mussie was crowned Central Zone Champion for the first time in first division. His victory was followed by another record breaking stunning performance in an individual Central Zone time trial race in the wake of the year 2005. And now, after participating in an Egyptian International and Eritrean tour races within the period of two months, his name is popped up more than ever. Most fans have hailed Mussie (Tela’e) with a deep down passion. He gave his supporters blows of kisses and showered them with champagne in the prize awarding ceremony. They got it all dearly.
This being the fact, great sprinter Michael Teku was the one to claim Tour 2005 championship victory after a group sprint in the final day next to Bimnet Mihreteab (Wina), Filmon Habtay (Zula) and Mebrahtu Gebremeskel (Hamalait) who broke away in the last 10 laps. Mussie Tecleab failed to secure a point in that day. Thus, he stood third in an overall ranking beaten by teammates Michael Teku and Michael Misgena. This made Cycling Team EriTel strengthen its unimaginable lead to a gap of greater than 100 points from the second placed Cycling Team Red Sea. Asbeco stood third.
One of the youngest guns of the tour Bimnet Mihreteab from Club Wina stood first on the final day. Filmon and Mebrahtu followed him consecutively to the finish line. After few seconds, Michael Teku lead the big chasing group to the final line with a sprint to fourth place. Efrem Abrha and Mihreteab Tedros (both from Asbeco) followed champ Michael to fifth and sixth place. Michael Misgena (EriTel), Bereket Mesfin (Adulis), Melake Kahsay (EriTel) and Israel Abrham (Red Sea) took the rest points from the sprint crossing the line one after the other.
Michael Teku has won stage 2 of Asmara Criterium and Stage 3 of Asmara-Deckmhare-Asmara races. He stood 6th in the prologue - time trial race and 3rd in stage 1. He also sprinted for a third place in the Keren-Asmara route after an eye-capturing breakaway made by Aklilu Haile (Adulis) and Mussie Tecleab (EriTel). He lost a place in the race from Massawa to Asmara and in the longest route of Asmara-Barentu.
The second overall winner Michael Misgena (Botero)’s best stage victory was Asmara-Adiqual-Asmara way of 172 km. An impressive solo breakaway of about 18km to the finish line.
On the other hand, Mussie Tecleab’s most exciting victories are a breakaway triumph from Keren to Asmara and best time trial victory in the opening day. His extraordinary activity through out the stages has remained talk of this tour edition.
Top six teams shared a prize of 100,000 Nacfa and trophies. Top 10 riders and top 6 climbers of every stage and mountain have also been getting their money prize award in addition to the blue (stage winner), yellow (overall leader) and red (best climber) jerseys given by Eritrean Cycling Union based in Norway.
Active members of the Cycling Union led by Mr. Biniam Asmelash (former Adulis rider) have been supporting the progress of the tour since its ignition in 2001 on the occasion of the 10th independence anniversary of the country.
Mr. Biniam Asmelash, Mr. Mulugeta Mihreteab, Mr. Tesfaledet Abrha and Mr. Aron Eyob, all members of the Eritrean Cycling Union, came from Norway to witness the exciting Tour 2005 competition. Mr Biniam Asmelash has been following Tour of Eritrea in person since 2002 for the consecutive four years. He (with his family) comes on and off for that matter to quench his crazy feelings on the race.
The support for the awareness of the Blood Donation Department has also been accompanying Tour of Eritrea 2005. Winners were awarded ‘Blood Donation’ T-shirts at every stage.
In the four stages female contest, Timnit Hayelom from Cycling Team Hidri has again shown her dominance for the second successive year.
Results
Final General Classification
1. Micheal Teku (EriTel) 53pts
2. Micheal Misgena (EriTel) 45pts
3. Mussie Tecleab (EriTel) 42pts
4. Israel Abrham (Red Sea) 34pts
5. Melake Kahsay (EriTel) 30pts
6. Aklilu Haile (Adulis) 26pts
7. Efrem Abrham (Asbeco) 24pts
8. Abrham Haile (EriTel) 18pts
9. Bimnet Mihreteab (Wina) 17pts
10. Yonas Zeray (EriTel) 16pts
11. Meron Russom (Asbeco) 15pts
12. Simon Semere (Asbeco) 15pts
13. Fanus Tsegay (Debub) 15pts
14. Matiwos Zeray (Red Sea) 14pts
15. Essayas Weldetinsae (Asbeco) 13pts
16. Beyene Negasi (Red Sea) 12pts
17. Micheal Tesfahanes (Hidri) 11pts
18. Mihreteab Tedros (Asbeco) 10pts
19.Filmon Habtay (Zula) 9pts
20. Fekadu Teamer (Gash Barka) 9pts
General Mountain Classification
1. Micheal Misgena (EriTel) 27pts
2. Mussie Tecleab (EriTel) 21pts
3. Aklilu Haile (Adulis) 19pts
4. Efrem Abrham (Asbeco) 16pts
5. Beyene Negasi (Red Sea) 12pts
6. Abrham Belay (Debub) 10pts
Final Teams Classification
1. EriTel 177pts
2. Red Sea 74pts
3. Asbeco 68pts
4. Adulis 43pts
5. Wina 22pts
6. Debub 21pts
7. Hidri 201pts
8. Zula 13pts
9. Hamalait 12pts
10. Gash Barka 11pts
11. Gegante 9pts
12. Northern Red Sea Zone 1pts
13. Vivi 0pts
