Lunsar Cycling Team: end of season review

As the cycling season in Sierra Leone wraps up for another year, we look back at how the Speak-sponsored Lunsar team has got on

The Lunsar Cycling Team has dominated domestically this season, with wins and podium finishes achieved in every single race it has entered.

Perhaps the highlight of the season came in June when new recruit Sori – who is just 17-years-old – beat off competition from far more experienced riders to win races on two consecutive weekends. It’s early days, but team captain Karim says that he has high hopes for the young star: “I was really surprised Sori won his first race – the whole team was – but of course we’re very excited now to see what he can do in the future.”

Despite so much success on the track, there remains frustrations off it with the Sierra Leone National Cycling Association currently shut down for legal reasons. A lack of domestic federation means that despite the club’s successful season, they remain an unranked side – thus making it extremely difficult for them to compete outside Sierra Leone.

After such a successful season, the team has high hopes for the future. A better organised federation will allow the riders to contest for places in the national team – and may even offer the club the opportunity to participate in the Tour du Rwanda competition.

How can you help?

As ever, the team – and the wider Lunsar community – is grateful for any support that they are offered. This year, UK charity Re-Cycle is sending bikes to the region that will increase the independence of people in the community. Bikes are a fantastic way for people to travel in between villages – and they also allow children to spend more time in school as they don’t have to walk a long commute. If anyone has a road bike that they aren’t using, they can get in contact with former Speakster Tom Owen at tom@fausto.agency.