Rwanda enters two teams for continental events

For the first time in the history of Rwandan cycling, two teams will compete at two concurrent events on the UCI Africa Tour which are the prestigious Tour of Algeria and Tour of Cameroon next month.

Team Karisimbi including reigning Tour du Rwanda winner Valens Ndayisenga, national team captain Janvier Hadi, Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Joseph Biziyaremye and upcoming rider Jeremie Karegeya will compete at the Tour of Algeria from March 6-30 in a bid to earn points for qualification to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

The other team will comprise of youngster Patrick Byukusenge, his older brother Nathan Byukusenge, veteran Abraham Ruhumuriza, Hakuzimana, Emile Bintunimana and Jean Claude Uwizeye will be competing in the Tour of Cameroon from March 13-22. Coach Felix Sempoma, who will be in charge of the team in Cameroon, revealed that Rwanda is capable of winning this event considering the strong side that will be fielded.

“In Patrick Byukusenge, we have a very strong and experienced young rider who we can protect if he gets the yellow jersey. Abraham and Nathan are very experienced riders who know what to do at this level and will bring massive knowledge to Cameroon,” explained Sempoma.

Team Rwanda Cycling head of marketing and logistics Kimberly Coats, who is also the team manager explained that this is a very big achievement for the young riders like Bintunimana, Uwizeye and Karegeya to gain exposure and experience that comes with competing at many continental tournaments. The last time Team Rwanda competed at the Tour of Algeria was in 2012.

This year’s Tour of Algeria will comprise of stages including Circuit International d’Alger, Tour Internationale d’Oraine, Grand Prix de la Ville d’Oran, Tour International de Blida, Criterium International de Setif, Tour International de Setif, Tour Internationale de d’Annaba, Tour International de Constantine, Circuit Internationale de Constantine and Criterium International de Blida.