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Tour International d’OraineAlgiers to Ain Defla – 128km

Circuit International d’Algérie1. Hichem Chaabane (Algeria) – 2:49:092. Eddine Salah Mraouni (Morocco) – 2:49:093. Mekseb Debesay (Bike Aid) – 2:49:0910. Bonaventure Uwizeyimana (Team Rwanda)14. Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Team Rwanda)

Rwandan rider Bonaventure Uwizeyimana finished 10th in yesterday’s Circuit International d’Algérie as the Grand Tour d’Algérie got underway in Algeria.

The 22 year old rider broke away with the leading peloton alongside two Eritreans and maintained a one minute and 20 second lead towards the last lap as teammate Jean Bosco Nsengimana fought to close the gap in the second peloton.

A sprint to the finish line alongside Algerian riders including eventual winner Hichem Chaabane, Eddine Salah Mraouni (second) and 2014 African cyclist of the year Mekseb Debesay (third) placed Uwizeyimana in 10th position and Nsengimana in 14th.

Team Rwanda head coach Jonathan ‘Jock’ Boyer told Times Sport in an exclusive interview that, "I am really impressed with the boys. They really did well to finish strong. They have greatly improved especially against the strong wind. This is the first time we are high up there with the best in this competition.”

Senior rider Joseph Biziyaremye got a puncture at the beginning of the race and was unable to return to the fast-paced 106.2km 1.2 race amidst humid and windy conditions in the North African country.

Valens Ndayisenga who is recovering from illness has gradually improved and will be able to compete in the upcoming tours – they are 10 in total.

Team Rwanda embarks on yet another challenge today in the Tour International d’Oraine; a three-day event in the countryside and Boyer revealed that the riders are up for the challenge.

Today’s race is from Algiers to Ain Defla (128km) before they embark on the second route from Mostaganem to Oran (143km) tomorrow. They complete this tour with the last route from Oran to Santa Cruz (128km) on Monday.