Tour du Faso: The premier West African cycling race returns for ten stages and 1,400 km

The peloton for the 37th edition of the Tour du Faso set off on Friday, October 30, 2026, in Burkina Faso, for ten announced stages across eight regions of the country and 1,399.97 kilometers of racing, with an additional 988 kilometers of transfers, totaling 2,387.97 kilometers, according to figures presented by the organizing committee during a press conference held on October 21, 2026, in Ouagadougou and reported by Africa Top Sports.

The event, the oldest and most competitive in West Africa, is above all regaining its international status: according to Wakat Séra, the Tour du Faso has rejoined the Union Cycliste Internationale calendar following the suspension that occurred in 2024. Riders from twelve countries are announced, including Burkina Faso, Belgium, Morocco, Ghana, Benin, Mali, Cameroon, the Netherlands, Algeria, South Africa, and Rwanda.

The Netherlands takes the lead, Burkina in the wheel

The first stage was won by Dutchman Tom Wijfje, ahead of Burkinabe Souleymane Koné, who finished second, reports Wakat Séra. The following day, another Burkinabe made his mark on the road: Idrissa Ouangraoua, from the Centre regional team, took his second consecutive intermediate sprint, following his victory at the first hotspot in Kokologho, ahead of his compatriot Issouf Ilboudo and Algerian Anes Riahi, according to Africa Top Sports.

The host country has a lot at stake. Three Burkinabe teams of six riders are at the start, and twenty-one national cyclists had been in a training camp since September 21, 2026, specifies Africa Top Sports. The projected budget for this edition is announced at 420 million CFA francs; the Burkinabe National Lottery, the official sponsor, has contributed 100 million CFA francs, according to Wakat Séra.

Paul Daumont, the man to beat

The main attraction remains Paul Daumont. The Burkinabe rider, presented by Africa Top Sports as a two-time winner of the Tour, won the final stage of the 2025 edition on November 2, 2025, according to Wakat Séra, and his participation in this 37th edition was confirmed by Martin Sawadogo, national technical director of the Burkinabe Cycling Federation. He currently races in Guadeloupe under the colors of CSCA Propreté 2000.

Beyond the yellow jersey, the Tour du Faso remains one of the few showcases for African cycling capable of attracting European teams to the continent's roads, in a sport where infrastructure and budgets are sorely lacking. The finish is scheduled for November 9, 2026.