Burkina Faso riders impose their tempo on Benin's 16th Intnational Cycling Tour

COTONOU -- Another Burkina Faso cyclist Salifou Yarbanga won the fourth stage of Benin's 16th International Cycling Tour on Thursday, the Beninese cycling federation (FBC) reported.

He took over from his compatriot Paul Daumont, winner of the three previous stages, who had a mechanical failure but kept the yellow jersey.

FBC said Yarbanga rode the 87 km long stage from Abomey to Lokossa in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 33 seconds. Bethel Vitalis from Nigeria came next, followed by Kouame Antoine Kouadio from Cote d'Ivoire in the third position.

The competition will continue on Friday with the fifth stage, a 116 km long criterium in the political capital Porto-Novo.

Riders from the six African countries Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Niger, Burkina-Faso, and Benin kicked off the competition.

Slated to close on May 22 in Cotonou, the six-stage race comprises 632 km runs and 1,170 km transshipping.