Western Circuit

Muhanga to Karongi – 80km

Upcoming teenage sensation Joseph Aleluya of Les Amis Sportifs is hoping to end Benediction Club’s dominance of the Rwanda Cycling Cup heading into today’s Western Circuit from Muhanga to Karongi, which will cover a total distance of 80km.

Aleluya, who won the Kivu race, the first event of the Rwanda Cycling Cup from Muhanga to Rubavu on April 4, is keen on adding more success to his tally but admits it is a tall order to overcome the star-studded Benediction club.

"We (Les Amis Sportifs) are going to try and do our best to make sure that we put up a challenge against Benediction. We want to win but it is not easy but we shall do our best,” explained Aleluya, who features on Team Rwanda Cycling, the national side.

The Rwamagana-based side also boasts of another impressive duo in Jean Claude Uwizeye and Ephrem Tuyishimiye, who also feature on the national side as well as Omar Nizeyimana and Eugene Gashiramanga.

Amis Sportifs head coach John Rugamba insists that the Rwanda Cycling Cup is a great opportunity for the teenagers to gain experience on the national scene.

In their search for dominance however, they come up against a star-studded side that boasts of two-race winner Janvier Hadi, recently crowned Northern Circuit champion Jean Bosco Nsengimana, experienced Nathan Byukusenge, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Patrick Byukusenge and Camera Hakuzimana, who all feature on the national side.

Today’s course is dominated by hills and twists towards Karongi but it is this terrain that has Benediction coach Felix Sempoma confident.

"I see four riders as favourites in our club and that is Bosco, Bonaventure, Patrick and Camera because they are strong climbers and this is what this course is about,” Sempoma told Saturday Sport.

Both clubs will however face tough opposition from the reigning national champion Joseph Biziyaremye (Cine Elmay) who won stage 5 of last year’s Tour du Rwanda from Rubavu to Nyanza, also a well-accustomed rider in these parts of the country.

Past results

1. Kivu race – Joseph Aleluya (Amis Sportifs)

2. Race to Remember – Janvier Hadi (Benediction)

3. National championships – Joseph Biziyaremye (Cine Elmay) – road race, Valens Ndayisenga (Amis Sportifs) – individual time trial.

4. Race for Culture – Janvier Hadi (Benediction)

5. Northern Circuit – Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Benediction)