Rwanda’s top ranked professional rider Adrien Niyonshuti believes his Team Rwanda colleagues have the talent and potential to win international competitions including the Tour of Rwanda but says they still have a lot to learn.

According to the South African-based Team MTN-Qhubeka rider, Rwandan riders are strong and competitive but lack the experience and maturity required to succeed at the highest level of cycling.

"We (Rwanda) have very good riders, they are strong and ambitious but they need to be mature and know what they want, they have to play like a team, not to compete against themselves,” Niyonshuti told Times Sport at the end of the 2013 Tour of Rwanda that ended on Sunday.

He said, "I am happy some of the young riders have made great improvement in just one year or two, but they still have a lot of learning to do especially on the mental aspect.”

"Niyonshuti tipped his colleagues to learn how to compete as a team and also when to attack and when not.  These are the factors that help to win or not to win a race, he advised. 

"There is no way we are can win the Tour of Rwanda or any other international competition without team effort; these competitions require working as a team. But these guys (of Team Rwanda) were competing against each other which is a big mistake,” explained Niyonshuti, who finished in 9th position.

The 26-year-old noted, "Yes we have improved a lot but the riders have to know their opponents and compete as a team not to compete against themselves. We can’t win Tour of Rwanda without a proper strategy even when it is held on our home soil.”

It was the first competition for Niyoinshuti since his return from an illness that had kept him out for nearly 10 months. He rode under his MTN-Qhubeka team. Team Karisimbi’s Jean-Bosco Nsengiyumva was Rwanda’s best rider in sixth position.

"I am happy that I am back in competition and to be able to compete in the Tour of Rwanda, but I will continue to work hard to get back to the top level,” Niyonshuti stated.

South African Dylan Girdlestone, 24, won this year’s Tour of Rwanda after covering the 804km-race in 20 hours 35 minutes and 55 seconds.