Results

1. Janvier Hadi (Benediction) 2:47:232. Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Benediction) 2:48:003. Joseph Biziyaremye (Cine Elmay) 2:51:284. Joseph Aleluya (Amis Sportifs) 2:51:285. Patrick Byukusenge (Benediction) 2:51:28

Janvier Hadi of Benediction cycling club clocked 2:47:23 to emerge victorious at the ‘Race for Culture’ yesterday from Nyungwe to Nyanza, which covered a total distance of 106km.

The 24-year old sprint master orchestrated a sole breakaway after Kitabi and increased his lead from 20 seconds as he entered Huye and stretched it to a four-minute lead in Nyanza.

He suffered a puncture 100m into the cobblestone section of the 4.2km circuit that was to be rotated five times but Benediction head coach Felix Sempoma replaced his tyre before he resumed riding.

His teammate Jean Bosco Nsengimana launched an attack in the first lap and gained a minute on Hadi but the latter held on to emerge winner, 37 seconds ahead of the strong and assertive Nsengimana who had closed the gap.

"I am very delighted that I won today. My intention earlier was to win the sprint into Huye but when I noticed that no one was chasing me, I decided to go all the way and seek victory,” explained the contented Hadi.

He added that, "Honestly, the other riders in this race do not have much experience in competitions so it is my chance because I am used to these competitions.”

Sempoma expressed joy at his side’s brilliant performance and said, "This shows the discipline the riders have and the hard work they invest in training sessions. It is good for us and we hope to continue from here.”

He also hailed Hadi’s character and decision making, "It is really impressive that Hadi won today. He has a very strong character. I had earlier thought that Bosco and Patrick were favourites because today’s route had a lot of climbs yet Hadi is a sprinter but when I spoke to him after Huye and he said he was okay, I told him to go on and win. He did and I am happy for him.”

The reigning national road race champion Joseph Biziyaremye of Cine Elmay led a sprint to the finish line to finish third ahead of Joseph Aleluya (Amis Sportifs), Patrick Byukusenge (Benediction) and Emile Bintunimana (Benediction) who settled for fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. The ‘Race for Culture’ was organized in a drive to recognize the heritage of Rwanda as Nyanza was home to the King’s Palace that is now a museum.

Samuel Mugisha (Benediction) won the junior category and Hakuzimana (Benediction) was the best rider in the U-23 category.

Meanwhile, Hadi walked away with Rwf250,000 having bagged Rwf100,000 as the overall winner but also as the first rider to enter the town of Huye, to arrive at the Huye Bus Park as well as Nyanza town earning Rwf50,000 on each of the occasions.

Youngster Hakuzimana had earlier won the first sprint finish into the town of Kitabi after departure from Nyungwe and he bagged Rwf50,000.