Mountain Bike Racing (VTT) : Touching Many Cameroonians

Mountain bike racing known by its acronym as VTT is becoming popular in Cameroon. It is the competitive cycle sport discipline of mountain biking held on off-road terrain. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) recognised the discipline relatively late in 1990, when it sanctioned the world championships in Durango, Colorado. The first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup series took place in 1988. Its nine-race circuit covered two continents: Europe and North America and was sponsored by Grundig. Mountain bike racing became an Olympic discipline in 1996 and a cross-country type mountain biking race has been held ever since its debut at the summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. 
In Cameroon, Mountain Bike or VTT race is fast becoming a popular sports and it is attracting many Cameroonians of all walks of life. Formerly, mountain bike racing was practiced by individuals or groups of people in their communities. In most cases, people practiced the sport to keep fit or for health reasons. No national competitions had been orgnanised for this sports discipline in Cameroon. The first edition of the VTT Chantal Biya Cycling race took place at the Bagofit Sun City in the East Region on March 30, 2024. The competition came up after two experimental editions under the initiative of the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Joseph LE, promoter of the competition and elite of the East Region. 
The race brought together some 200 cyclists in five categories notably the Elites, Ladies, Masters I, Masters II and Prestige categories. It was undoubtedly this last category that attracted the most attentio...