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Circuit International d’AlgerAlgiers to Algiers – 106.2km

Team Rwanda Cycling has proved that they are top class performers in circuit races and an endless list of consecutive victories in the past one year will be the benchmark in today’s Circuit International d’Alger, a 106.2km one-day race in Algiers.

A prologue stage win for Janvier Hadi at last year’s Tour du Rwanda, Valens Ndayisenga’s prologue win at the 2015 Tour of Egypt in Hurghada in January and his silver medal at the Africa continental championships in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in the men’s U-23 individual time trial last month goes to underline the team’s strength.

With the Grand Tour d’Algerie mostly expected to be on flat routes, Team Rwanda could switch to the use of drafting, a cycling tactic which calls for cooperative cyclists with sufficient group-riding skills to lead most of the way, giving the weaker riders more rest.

Team captain Hadi and Jean Bosco Nsengimana known to be sprinters will fit in well with this role as well as Bonaventure Uwizeyimana who has the body structure to deal with the windy conditions in the North African country while his teammates ride behind him and can break away at the last possible moment.

This will completely test their teamwork ability but their display in last year’s Tour du Rwanda leading up to Ndayisenga’s victory will be a memory they wish to replicate. Senior rider Joseph Biziyaremye and Jeremie Karegeya will be crucial to the side’s success.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw