2006年VOA标准英语-Cyclists Converge on Burkina Faso for Tour de F

By Jordan Davis
Dakar
30 October 2006

More than 100 cyclists from around the world are pedaling their way across Burkina Faso this week in the 20th annual Tour de Faso. Burkinabes are passionate¹ for the event. 

Cyclists on the road  
  
In the capital Ouagadougou, police try to hold back excited crowds as cyclists enter the city.

After the races speed by, one spectator says it was a thrill to see the caravan². He says he was not able to catch it on television, so he went to see it in person.

The Tour de Faso is Africa's premier³ cycling event. Twelve of the 18 national teams are from the continent.

It is run by the organizers of the Tour de France, a race known for its often challenging mountain segments. In mostly flat Burkina Faso, unpaved roads were recently added to the course to raise the level of difficulty.

But even non-sports fans come to the race, to enjoy concerts organized at the end of each stage, festivities often lasting⁴ well into the night.

Belgian cyclist Syne⁵ Lionel    
  
Burkina Faso's state-run television produces a special show every night, with highlights from the race and that night's celebrations. The race is also a busy time for the country's sporting press.

Reporter Marcel Belem, with the Sidaya Sport journal, says, everything but cycling gets thrown out during the Tour de Faso. The normally bi-weekly paper even prints a special edition every day.

Belem says many in Burkina Faso have high hopes one of their own will win. Burkinabes have won 10 of the past 19 Tours.

The cycling fever will subside⁶, for another year at least, when the cyclists finish their last stage Sunday in the capital, Ouagadougou.

1 passionate   

adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的

参考例句：

• He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
• He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。

2 caravan   

n.大蓬车；活动房屋

参考例句：

• The community adviser gave us a caravan to live in.社区顾问给了我们一间活动住房栖身。
• Geoff connected the caravan to the car.杰弗把旅行用的住屋拖车挂在汽车上。

3 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

4 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

5 syne   

adv.自彼时至此时，曾经

参考例句：

• The meeting ended up with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.大会以唱《友谊地久天长》结束。
• We will take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne.让我们为了过去的好时光干一杯友谊的酒。

6 subside   

vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降

参考例句：

• The emotional reaction which results from a serious accident takes time to subside.严重事故所引起的情绪化的反应需要时间来平息。
• The controversies surrounding population growth are unlikely to subside soon.围绕着人口增长问题的争论看来不会很快平息。