Nelson, Odebiyi, dominate 9mobile co-sponsored Lagos City Cycling Criterium

This year’s Lagos City Cycling Criterium was held last weekend at Dolphin Estate road, Ikoyi, Lagos, with Bassey Nelson from Rivers State and Azeez Odebiyi from Oyo State dominating the professional and junior events respectively.

The cycling race which was co-sponsored by 9mobile attracted high ranking professional cyclists from Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Kaduna and Ogun states, while it drew over a thousand spectators who came to cheer their heroes to victory.

Cyclists competed in the junior male and female; senior master male and female and professional male and female cadres.

Bassey Nelson from Shark Club of Rivers State won in the male professional cadre as Sodiq Ajibade finished second, while Precious Godwin settled for the bronze.

The victory makes Nelson the national champion for two consecutive seasons.

In the junior boys category, Azeez Odebiyi from Bright Future Cycling Club, Ibadan, beat other contenders to the star prize. The 2017 National Youth Games silver medallist finished tops in a race where his counterparts from Shark Team finished second and third respectively.

Nelson while speaking after the race attributed his victory to hard work and discipline, just as he noted that the future of cycling in Nigeria is bright.

“I trained hard and denied myself of many things that I love for two months. My family, friends and my girlfriend paid the price for my success today. I also want to say that the future of cycling is awesome and we thank sponsor like 9mobile for this positive development,” Nelson said.

Speaking at the event, Head, High-Value and Mass Market Segment, 9mobile, Adetunji Taiwo, said: “9mobile sees Cycling Criterium as an opportunity to further promote the fitness and health of the Nigerian people while innovatively entertaining them. 9mobile supports this healthy sport because we believe there is really no wealth in the absence of health.”

Adetunji further revealed that 9mobile recently sponsored some sporting engagements such as the 9mobile Prediktor 6 which saw Taiwo Afeez Akanbi emerge as winner and becoming a millionaire.

Since it launched its service in Nigeria nine years ago, 9mobile has supported talent development through an array of owned and sponsored platforms including the U-15 School Cup amongst others.

Dignitaries including the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sports, Mr Deji Tinubu, graced the event.