Rwandan cyclist Jeanne d’Arc Girubuntu became the first Black African female rider to compete at the World Cycling Championships on Tuesday night in Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Rwandan cyclist Jeanne d’Arc Girubuntu became the first Black African female rider to compete at the World Cycling Championships on Tuesday night in Richmond, Virginia, USA.
The 20-year-old also became the first Rwandan female to compete at the international competition when she competed in the women’s individual time trial ranking 44th after posting 47:41.71, +7:11.84 behind winner Melanie Linda Villumsen of New Zealand who crossed the finish line with an impressive 40:29.87.
Girubuntu is also the youngest female rider at this competition that boasts of the world’s best female riders who have years of competing in Grand Tours and world championships.
"I am very happy that I was able to represent my country because it is a dream come true. I have gained a lot of experience from the World Championships and it is something I will never forget,” said the emotional Girubuntu in an exclusive interview with Times Sport.
She was also the only African rider in this category that attracted 44 riders from 33 countries from across the world.
Many fans cheered Girubuntu in Richmond as she pedaled away to write history in a performance that she is expected to build on in the future.
The Rwamagana-born Girubuntu is a two-time national champion having won the 2013 edition when she was 18 years and defended her title last year. She has been training at the World Cycling Championships in Aigle, Switzerland for three months.
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