Ouagadougou:AJCK and Stallions cyclist Soumala Ilboudo emerged victorious at the 17th Grand Prix Excellence Htel, which took place on Avenue Thomas-Sankara. Ilboudo clinched the win by outpacing Souleymane Kon of AS Bessel and Saturnin Yamogo of AJCK in a thrilling sprint finish of the 102km race.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the race was decided in the final 300 meters, where Ilboudo made a decisive move, completing the course in 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 16 seconds, with an average speed of 41.841 km/h. As the winner, Ilboudo received a motorcycle from sponsor Mogho Naaba Baongo, a trophy, the yellow jersey, and a financial prize of 250,000 FCFA.

The competition, organized annually by Excellence Hotel for the past 17 years, serves to promote Burkinabe cycling and prepare athletes for the Tour du Faso. Dieudonn Kafando, representing Excellence Hotel, expressed satisfaction with the event's smooth execution, highlighting its role in promoting fair play and social cohesion, as well as preparing the national team for future competitions.

Lazare Zabr, vice-president of the Burkina Faso Cycling Federation, considered the competition's level acceptable but stressed the need to enhance the riders' average speed due to the challenging lineup expected at the Tour du Faso, which includes at least two continental teams. Zabr noted that upcoming competitions would provide teams the opportunity to refine their strategies.

In the women's category, Clarisse Bilgo distinguished herself by winning her event.