A total of 16 teams from around the world have confirmed their participation in this year's Tour du Rwanda cycling race, which is scheduled to run from November 16-23. Last year, the annual event had fifteen teams. The number of riders expected to take part in this year's edition stands at 80.
A total of 16 teams from around the world have confirmed their participation in this year’s Tour du Rwanda cycling race, which is scheduled to run from November 16-23. Last year, the annual event had fifteen teams. The number of riders expected to take part in this year’s edition stands at 80.
Team Bike Aid (Germany) - Loup Sport (Suisse) And Team Scody Downunder (Australia) will take part in Tour du Rwanda for the first. This year’s edition will cost an estimated Rwf400 million. Rwanda will be represented by Team Akagera, Team Karisimbi and Team Muhabura, and each team will comprise of five riders.
Other teams include; South Africa, Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Gabon, Novo Nordisk Development Team (USA), Haute Savoie (France). The Tour du Rwanda 2014 will cover seven stages including the new routes of Kigali-Amahoro Stadium to Ngoma District (94 kilometers) and Rubavu to Nyanza District, the most grueling route that covers 173km.
The event was first held in 1988 before it became part of the UCI Africa Tour category 2.2 five years ago.Meanwhile, the president of UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Michael Brian Cookson will be in the country to follow the six-day event for the first time.
Last year’s edition was won by South African Dylan Girdlestone, while Rwanda’s Valens Ndayisenga won the most promising rider accolade following his 11th place finish.
The 19-year-old made history by becoming the youngest Rwandan to win a stage in the Tour du Rwanda when he won the stage two, which was the most grueling stage (151.9km) from Rwamagana-Musanze.