The coach of the national cycling team, Team Rwanda, Jonathan Boyer has heaped praise on the national cycling federation for organizing arguably the best Tour de Rwanda competition since its inauguration back in 1988. The American has reckoned that the 2008 Tour de Rwanda is ten times better than last year’s edition.

"I’m very impressed with the organization. The riders have accommodation, food and refreshments and the timing is just perfect,” the 51-year-old said.

"Even foreign riders have received great support from their countries” he added.

Boyer has also widely tipped Adrien Niyonshuti to win this year’s tour after a breathtaking display.

The 21-year-old wrapped up his fifth stage win yesterday to widen his lead at the top of the charts by eight minutes.

"Niyonshuti is doing very well. He is probably the strongest rider now,” he noted before tipping rising rider Godfrey Gahemba to flourish to the top in the near future.

Gahemba, who turned 17 this year, is having the race of his life. Despite finishing seventh in stage six, the teenage still enjoys an overall second spot ranking.

"He has amazing talent and he is a very big prospect for Rwanda,” the American conceded.

Boyer, popular for being the first American cyclist to compete in the Tour de France back in 1981 has been coaching Team Rwanda for the last 18 months and is now looking at ways of taking the sport to another level. 

The American together with the local Cycling federation are pushing to have the race (Tour de Rwanda) included on the International Cycling Union calendar.

"We want to have the Tour de Rwanda incorporated on the International Cycling Union (UCI) calendar and the only way we can do that is if we have an event organized in this fashion,” he stressed.

Ends