Rwanda is set to host the Africa Mountain Bike Tour from May 8-10 in Musanze District.

Cyclists from Egypt, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Rwanda have registered to participate in the race that is also a qualifier for the Rio 2016 Olympic games in Brazil.

Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Hadi Janvier, Joseph Biziyaremye, Hakuzimana, Nathan Byukusenge, Abraham Ruhumuriza, Jean Claude Uwizeyimana and Samuel Mugisha (junior) will represent the country in the 2-day competition.

Mountain bike racing is when cyclists compete on hilly and steep terrains. Two experts Rudy Hauser and Ueli Gunpli, who work for Trailworks, a trail design and consulting company in Switzerland were hired in December to construct a 6km track near the Africa Rising Cycling Centre (ARCC) in Musanze that will be used for the competition.

In 2011, Adrien Niyonshuti finished in fourth position at the continental event in Jonkershoek-South Africa to become the first Rwandan to qualify for the mountain bike race at the Olympics. He finished 39th at the London 2012 Olympics.

Meanwhile Team Rwanda rider, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana will be out for a week due to an accident while training on Wednesday afternoon.

"He had an accident during trainings and he is admitted at King Faisal hospital, and hopefully he will be back in one week,” Team Rwanda coach Jonathan Boyer said.

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