Team Rwanda rider Valens Ndayisenga finished in the 120th position on his debut in the U-23 men’s road race at the 2014 UCI World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain on Friday.
Valens Ndayisenga in action in the U23 Men’s Individual Time Trial on Monday. (Net photo)
Ndayisenga covered the 182 km race in 4 hours 59 minutes and 39 seconds. Norway’s Sven Erik Bystrom won the world title after making a solo break on the last of 10 laps of the 18.2km circuit around the northern Spanish city.
The peloton was led by the Australians for large parts of the closing stages, and Bystrom won by seven seconds. Australia’s Caleb Ewan was second with Kristoffer Skjerping of Norway coming third as the peloton arrived in a bunch sprint.
Rwanda’s two other riders, Jean Bosco Nsengimana and Bonaventure Uwizeyimana did not finish the race.
Team Rwanda head coach Jonathan Boyer said: “Proud of the guys, it was hot, fast and hard and in the end Valens Ndayisenga finished. He finished a race many others couldn’t, I am proud of all their efforts.”
On Monday, Ndayisenga finished in 51st position in the Individual Time Trial, clocking 48 minutes 28 seconds and 27 micro seconds while Jean Bosco Nsengimana finished 57th after clocking 48 minutes 54 seconds and 19 micro seconds.
It was the first time that Rwanda is taking part in the UCI World Championships.
Under-23 men road race – 182km
1. Sven Erik Bystrom (NOR) 4hr 32min 39sec
2. Caleb Ewan (AUS) at 7sec
3. Kristoffer Skjerping (NOR) same time
4. Tiesj Benoot (BEL) s.t.
5. Sondre Holst Enger (NOR) s.t.
By Peter Kamasa, The New Times