Catherine Fellows,
Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou is famous for its mopeds. In every corner of this dusty,
rust red city you can hear the not very frightening roar of 50 cc bikes.

They are the perfect mode of transport for this small African capital,
especially considering that many here can't afford to own a car.

So, eleven years ago, one of Ouagadougou’s more dynamic citizens,
Thiomiano Moustapha, was inspired to start an annual moped race around the city.

Moustapha is also the man who established Burkina Faso's first independent radio station, Horizon FM.

This year, roughly 500 young men - and one woman - risked their skins for
the big prize – a brand new bike.



Many were awake at three in the morning perfecting their skills on the empty roads – with more or less equal engines, the speed is all in the rider's style.

The bikers lie flat to give them speed

To make themselves more aerodynamic, they lie horizontally on the bikes, heads down, legs straight out behind – and this in nothing more protective
than T shirts and flip flops.

This year and last year, however, helmets were compulsory.

At six in the morning, all fifteen miles of Ouagadougou's "grand route" - l’Avenue Charles de Gaulle – is lined with people.

At the starting point, people have climbed trees to get a better view, and the roofs of buildings are packed.



In fact, there is such a throng, and no barriers, that at times the crowd spills over onto the road and is beaten back by police truncheons.

Finally, at 9am, it is time for Moustapha, flamboyant in his Stetson,
to start the race.

Photographers are nearly mown down as the 500 jostle for position, and several come off.

Thiomiano Moustapha is the man behind the bike race

The bikes have to do five rounds, and the excitement builds with each one.

Miraculously no one is seriously hurt, despite the acrobatics of the riders, and the closeness of the crowd.

As the winner draws in, it is claimed that he travelled at 150 km per hour.

He is twenty years old, and this is the sixth time he has entered the race.

So, how did he manage to win this time? "I prepared myself mentally and physically."