Rwanda’s only pro cyclist Adrien Niyonshuti and the reigning Tour du Rwanda champion Valens Ndayisenga of Amis Sportifs club are in bullish mood ahead of the national cycling championships from June 27-28, the third event of the Rwanda Cycling Cup.
National Cycling Championships
June 27 – Individual time trial (Nyamata – 38km)
June 28 – Road race (Kigali to Huye – 120km)
Rwanda's only pro cyclist Adrien Niyonshuti and the reigning Tour du Rwanda champion Valens Ndayisenga of Amis Sportifs club are in bullish mood ahead of the national cycling championships from June 27-28, the third event of the Rwanda Cycling Cup.
The duo, that boasts massive experience, individually, will be looking to bring forces together to guide the Rwamagana-based side in retaining their title but they face tough opposition from the dominant Benediction Club of Rubavu.
Ndayisenga, fresh from training at the World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, said defending his national title is his main target when he lines up against a field of sprinters on June 27 in the men’s individual time trial from Nyamata via Biryogo and back to Nyamata, a total distance of 38km.
In the team time trial, Ndayisenga and Niyonshuti who has just completed a successful European Tour with MTN Qhubeka who are preparing for next month’s Tour de France, will provide the necessary cover for the youthful side that boasts of Joseph Aleluya, winner of the Kivu race in April, the first event of the Rwanda Cycling Cup.
"Our time in Europe has helped us to prepare well for the national championships and we want nothing less than victory. We have a strong team and I believe that we shall emerge victorious,” said the confident Ndayisenga.
Benediction’s Janvier Hadi, the sprint master who has two prologue stage wins at the Tour du Rwanda (2013 and 2014) under his belt and teammate Patrick Byukusenge will be challenging Ndayisenga in a battle for the coveted crown.
Hadi alongside teammates Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Joseph Biziyaremye and Camera Hakuzimana arrived this morning from a month’s training at the USA national team training centre in Limburg, Netherlands where they excelled in local races as well as in Belgium.
However, Benediction head coach Felix Sempoma is wary of the Rwamagana pairing and said, "Valens and Adrien are in top form right now and that course will definitely favour them because it is quite long.”
"Hadi is a great sprinter at short distances like 3km or 5km but 38km will tire him out and Valens and Adrien who have endurance are clear favourites,” Sempoma confessed.
The event will attract six clubs including’ Amis Sportif (Rwamagana), Benediction (Rubavu), Cine Elmay, Fly (Gasabo), Cycling Club for All (Butare) and Kiramuruzi (Gasabo).