Rwanda Cycling Federation will this year organize a ‘Rwanda Cycling Cup’ which includes 10 national races and will cost an estimated Rwf48 million, the federation has confirmed.

The inaugural ‘Rwanda Cycling Cup’ will start this Saturday and end on October 25, less than three weeks before the start of Tour du Rwanda.

The local cycling federation president, Aimable Bayingana, while addressing a press conference at Classic Hotel Kicukiro on Wednesday, said the competitions are aimed at preparing Team Rwanda riders for international competitions.

"I think we are going to see new young riders emerging from these ten races, and we hope the races will greatly improve the standards of our riders,” he said.

He added that riders will garner points from each race and after the all races there will be an overall national champion.

Winners of each of the ten races will receive Rfw100, 000 while the winner of the U23 category, will get Rwf60, 000.

The 2015 Tour du Rwanda is scheduled for mid November. Rwandan Valens Ndayisenga is the defending champion.

Full schedule

April, 4 Kivu Race: Muhanga – Rubavu

May, 7 Race to remember + circuits: Kigali – Rwamagana

June 27 National Championship

Race against Clock: ITT / Kicukiro

June, 28 National Championship

Road Race: Kigali – Huye

July, 11 Race for Culture + circuits: Nyamagabe – Nyanza

Aug. 1 Northern Circuit:

Rubavu – Musanze:

Aug. 22 Western Circuit + Circuit: Muhanga – Karongi

Sep. 12 Tour of Kigali + Circuit:

Kigali – Bugesera

Oct.17, 18, 24 and 25 Races to prepare 2015 Tour du Rwanda

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