Zimbabwe Cycling's under-23 team, beating the heat and differences of terrain in Burkina Faso, managed Wednesday to land in fifth position in the 16-nation Tour de Faso cycling competition that got under way Wednesday in Ouagadougu.
Zimbabwe's six cyclists in the 10-day event are under pressure to finish within the top three, which will move them closer to a slot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Many professional cyclists are participating in the Tour de Faso, sanctioned by the International Cycling Union and one of the largest international events in Africa.
Zimbabwe's cyclists have been sponsored by Belgium and from Burkina Faso are to proceed there to prepare for next year's World Cyclocross Championships.
Zimbabwean cyclist Conway Mahommed told reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye about his team's progress during the first day of the Tour de Faso.
More reports from VOA's Studio Seven For Zimbabwe...