Race to Remember - Kigali to Rwamagana – 101.5km

Men1. Hadi Janvier 2:39:162. Joseph Biziyaremye 2:41:573. Abraham Ruhumuriza 2:41:574. Jean Claude Uwizeye 2:41:575. Jean Bosco Nsengimana 2:41:576. Patrick Byukusenge 2:41:57

Benediction rider Janvier Hadi clocked 2:39:06 to emerge winner of the ‘Race to Remember’ yesterday from Kigali to Rwamagana, a total distance of 101.5km in the second competition of the Rwanda Cycling Cup that commenced last month with the Kivu race.

The 24 year old Hadi joined the leading peloton after the 50km mark and raced along with Joseph Biziyaremye, Abraham Ruhumuriza and Gasore Hategeka but launched a strong sprint towards the finish line to win his first local race this year.

"I am very happy that I won today’s (yesterday’s) race. When I joined the leading peloton, I knew that I would win the race because sprinting is my strength and I always use it to my advantage,” said the contented Hadi.

Cine Elmay’s Biziyaremye finished second while veteran Ruhumuriza (CCA) was third. The Benediction trio of Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Patrick Byukusenge and Hakuzimana were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. Jeanne d’Arc Girubuntu of Amis Sportifs won the women’s category beating a field of five other female riders including teammates Beatha Ingabire, Clementine Niyonsaba, Benitha Uwamariyaka and Jeanette Mukandayisenga as well as Nicole Umutoniwase of Cine Elmay.

The ‘Race to Remember’ was organized in commemoration of members of the cycling fraternity that lost their lives during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis. Some of the identified include Anselme Sakumi (vice president), Gasatu (mechanic), Theophile Gasatu (rider – Cine Elmay), Edouard Gasinzigwa (rider – Cine Elmay), Kayumba (rider – Rwamagana) and Henriette (rider – Ruhengeri).

It is the second event of the Rwanda Cycling Cup that was launched last month and will see another eight races throughout the year with the next one being the national championships in June – individual time trial on June 27 and the road race from Kigali to Huye on June 28.

Youngster Joseph Aleluya of Amis Sportifs won the first one from Muhanga to Rubavu, a total distance of 138km.