Les Amis Sportifs’ Jean-Claude Uwizeye stormed to an emphatic victory with a 4:26 advantage at the Tour of Kigali on Sunday that covered a total distance of 124.9km to register his first domestic career win in style.
Results1. Jean-Claude Uwizeye (Les Amis Sportifs) - 3:20:342. Gasore Hategeka (Benediction) - 3:24:083. Jeremie Karegeya (Cine Elmay) - 3:24:254. Mathieu Twizerane (CCA) - 3:24:255. Jean-Bosco Nsengimana (Benediction) - 3:26:11
Les Amis Sportifs’ Jean-Claude Uwizeye stormed to an emphatic victory with a 4:26 advantage at the Tour of Kigali on Sunday that covered a total distance of 124.9km to register his first domestic career win in style.
The 21-year old was among a group of six riders including Janvier Hadi (Benediction), Aime Mupenzi, Jean-Bosco Nsengimana (Benediction), Jeremie Karegeya (Cine Elmay) and Mathieu Twizerane(CCA) that broke away at the start of the race in Bugesera, at the border of Rwanda and Burundi.
Hadi and Nsengimana, who are fresh from the Tour of Rio that ended a week ago, took turns at the front but Uwizeye would hold on till the first circuit around Amahoro Stadium in Kigali to drop Nsengimana and take a minute lead before going all out to register a fine finish in the seventh event of the inaugural Rwanda Cycling Cup that also attracted riders from Democratic Republic of Congo.
"I am so thrilled with this win especially because it is the first time I am winning a race in my two-year cycling career. I decided to breakaway because I was feeling good and have been training well,” said the visibly excited Uwizeye.
This is the third win for the Rwamagana-based side that also saw Joseph Aleluya bag the Kivu race from Muhanga to Rubavu in April, which was the first event of the Rwanda Cycling Cup.
Last year’s Tour du Rwanda winner Valens Ndayisenga won the men’s individual time trial at the National Championships in June.
Les Amis Sportifs coach John Rugamba was pleased with his side’s performance with Aleluya coming sixth after posting 3:26:34.
"There was nothing surprising about Uwizeye’s performance because he has gained race experience and is determined to win. He is a young rider whose future is looks very bright,” said Rugamba.
The Rwanda Cycling Cup is comprised of 10 events and is sponsored by Cogebanque and Skol.
Rwanda Cycling Cup event winners
1. Kivu Race – Joseph Aleluya (Les Amis Sportifs)2. Race to Remember – Janvier Hadi (Benediction)3. National Championships – Road Race Joseph Biziyaremye (Cine Elmay), individual time trial Valens Ndayisenga (Les Amis Sportifs)4. Race for Culture – Janvier Hadi (Benediction)5. Northern Circuit – Jean-Bosco Nsengimana (Benediction)6. Western Circuit – Patrick Byukusenge (Benediction)7. Tour of Kigali – Jean-Claude Uwizeye (Les Amis Sportifs)