Rwanda Cycling Federation has named the national team for the 2014 Tour of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo in Gabon from January 13-19.
L-R: Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Joseph Biziyaremye, Gasore Hategeka, Janvier Hadi, Valens Ndayisenga. Jean Bosco Nsengiyumva, (far right) who finished sixth in the 2013 Tour of Rwanda, will lead Team Rwanda’s assault in Gabon. Times Sport/ J. Mbanda.
The six-man team was announced by the national team coach Jonathan Boyer on Wednesday.
It includes; Rwanda’s national champion Gasore Hategeka (26-years old) Joseph Biziyaremye (25), Valens Ndayisenga (19), South Africa-based Janvier Hadi (22) Jean Bosco Nsengiyumva (22) and Bonaventure Uwizeyinama (21).
In November, Hadi won the bronze medal in African Championships held in Morocco, Ndayisenga became the youngest Rwandan to win a stage in 2013 Tour of Rwanda, while Nsengiyunva finished as the highest placed Rwandan in sixth position overall.
Last year Nathan Byukusenge was Team Rwanda’s best finisher in 26th position while the team finished in seventh position. A year before, Abraham Ruhumuriza finished in 13th position.
Newly-wed Byukusenge will miss this year’s Tour of Amissi Bongo, while Ruhumuriza is set to retire this year from cycling and will not feature in international competitions.
Team Rwanda will join eight other African national teams and six professional teams in the Seven-Stage-991km event.
Boyer and his team have been undergoing intensive training at the Team Rwanda training camp in Musanze for the past one week and will depart for Gabon on Saturday aboard Rwandair.
By Peter Kamasa,The New Times