Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) has suspended veteran national cycling team riders over allegations of inciting teammates to strike ahead of the Tour du Rwanda. 

Abraham Ruhumuriza, All Africa Games gold medalist, Janvier Hadi and the reigning Tour of Rwanda winner Valens Ndayisenga were suspended on Saturday. They were also given a 48 hour ultimatum to apologize in writing for the misconduct.

The suspension followed a strike involving 14 national cycling team riders after FERWACY declined their demand to be paid $3,000 (about Rwf2.2 million) each before competing in the international race scheduled to run from November 15 to 22 in Rwanda.

Ndayisenga told Times Sport that, "We asked for $3,000 each so that we can pay for insurance. We have been training on the road for one whole year and we have no insurance, so we asked for this money to pay for insurance cover next year. We get insurance only during the Tour du Rwanda.”

The Rwamagana-born youngster said the riders had issues which they want to be addressed adding that FERWACY did not listen to their side of the story before suspending them.

FERWACY president Aimable Bayingana said the development will not affect preparations for one of the biggest events on the sports calendar.

According to Bayingana, new riders will be brought on board to join Olympian-to-be Nathan Byukusenge and his younger brother Jeremie Karegeya- the only riders who shunned the strike. 

"We prefer to start from zero than to continue with the team that has undisciplined elements. We have a lot of talent in this country and we will reinforce our talent detection process and start building a cycling team that is dignified and patriotic to our country,” Bayingana said.

The Tour of Rwanda has attracted 14 teams from outside the country including the rest of Africa, Europe, Australia and USA.

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