Professional cycling teams including Sky Dive Dubai and MTN Qhubeka have been invited to participate in this year’s Tour du Rwanda scheduled for November 15-22.
Rwanda will be represented by three teams – Karisimbi, Akagera and Muhabura. (File)
The United Arab Emirates side Sky Dive Dubai who boast of among many other riders Francisco Mancebo, the Spanish rider who finished fourth and sixth at the 2005 and 2004 Tour de France are expected to add flair to the competition as well as the Tour de France bound MTN Qhubeka who will become the first African team to compete at the world’s most prestigious cycling event.
Speaking at a media briefing last evening at Classic hotel, Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) president Aimable Bayingana said, “We have invited several professional teams from across the world including Sky Dive Dubai and MTN Qhubeka who are going to the Tour de France. We are positive that they will honour our invitation.”
More than 25 teams from Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Morocco, Algeria, Eritrea, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi are expected to compete at the last event on the International Cycling Union (UCI) Africa calendar.
Meanwhile, the Tour du Rwanda organizers unveiled this year’s routes of the eight-day event with two new routes including stage one from Nyagatare to Rwamagana, a total distance of 135km and the biggest cycling event in Rwanda returns to Huye with stage two from Kigali (Nyabugogo) to Huye, a distance of 120km.
Stage three begins from Kigali (Kicukiro) to Musanze, a total distance of 95km with stage four from Musanze to Nyanza (160km), Muhanga to Rubavu (140km) and Rubavu to Kigali (165km) presenting the toughest tests for the riders who will have to endure the numerous hilly challenges on these routes.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) will award the yellow jersey while Skol will award the stage winners. Cogebanque will reward the best climber and insurance company Soras will award the best young rider. Turkish Airlines will award the best African rider and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) will award the best Rwandan rider.
Tour du Rwanda routes
Prologue stage – Kigali (Around Amahoro Stadium) – 3.5km
Nyagatare to Rwamagana – 135km
Kigali (Nyabugogo) to Huye – 120km
Kigali (Kicukiro) to Musanze – 95km
Musanze to Nyanza – 160km
Muhanga to Rubavu – 140km
Rubavu to Kigali – 165km
Kigali to Kigali (Around Amahoro Stadium) – 120km
By Usher Komugisha, The New Times