Sept. 5

Men’s elite

Team Rwanda rider Nathan Byukusenge has revealed that experience will guide his ambitions to succeed at the upcoming World Mountain Bike Championships in Vallnord in Andorra, Spain from September 1-6.

The 35-year old, who boasts of massive experience in mountain biking, expects the international competition to be a tough challenge but he believes his past achievements will come in handy this weekend when he competes in the men’s elite category on Saturday.

Byukusenge has represented Rwanda at the Cape Epic thrice (2008, 2009 and 2013), a South African eight-day grueling event known as the ‘Tour de France of mountain biking’ as well as the Swiss Epic twice (2013 and 2014).

"It helps a lot that I have been to several world class mountain bike races so I know what to expect in Spain. I will be up against tough riders but I am very ready for the challenge,” explained Byukusenge, who also admits that winning the race is an unrealistic call.

Byukusenge, who left for Spain on Tuesday morning, will start at the back of the pack but he believes his technical ability that has been highlighted by his coaches Jonathan ‘Jock’ Boyer and Sterling Magnell will be useful to his cause.

He added, "I have prepared very well for this competition and it makes me really excited that I am going to be the first Rwandan to compete at the World Mountain Bike Championships.”

He faces a tough challenge from some of the world’s best mountain bike riders including three-time World Cup overall champion Aaron Holmes Gwin (USA), 2014 Downhill World Champion Gee Atherton (UK), 2013 Downhill World Cup overall winner Stevie Smith (Canada) and Loic Bruni (France), who is ranked second on the UCI standings in the Downhill Mountain Bike circuit.

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