Routes:

Prologue stage, Nov. 15: Amahoro Stadium (3.5km)

Stage 1, Nov. 16: Nyagatare-Rwamagana (135km)

Stage 2, Nov. 17: Kigali-Huye (120km)

Stage 3, Nov. 18: Kigali-Musanze (95km)

Stage 4, Nov. 19: Musanze-Nyanza (160km)

Stage 5, Nov. 20: Muhanga-Rubavu (140km)

Stage 6, Nov. 21: Rubavu-Kigali (165km)

Stage 7, Nov. 22: Kigali-Kigali (120km)

Team Rwanda riders are in an upbeat mood ahead of the start of this year’s Tour du Rwanda which gets underway today with the prologue around Amahoro National Stadium, covering a distance of 3.5km.

The riders believe that if they make a good start as they did last year, it will set them up well for the rest of the eight-day, seven-stage race.

All eyes will be on Janvier Hadi, who has won the Prologue twice in 2013 and 2014. Last year, Team Karisimbi captain, Hadi covered the 3.5km in 4 minutes, 4 seconds and 46 micro seconds.

Team Karisimbi riders took the first four positions—eventual champion Valens Ndayisenga finished in second place behind Hadi, while Jean Bosco Nsengimana and Bonaventure Uwizeyimana came in third and fourth positions respectively.

"If we start like we did last year we are sure we are going to retain the title. It will be difficult because all teams will be against us but we are more experienced this time round than we were last year, which puts us in an even better position to win the tour,” Ndayisenga told Sunday Sport.

The 20-year old, the first Rwandan rider to win the Tour du Rwanda since it became a UCI event in 2009, added, "In terms of preparations, I think we are ready for the race. Our aim is to challenge for the top position like we did last year.”

Hadi, also 20, and bidding to rival compatriot, Ndayisenga for the title, said that "I am convinced we have the potential to finish in the top positions, all the riders who are going to compete in the tour, have been outstanding this year so we hope to end the season on a high.”

The Tour du Rwanda, which is organized by Rwanda Cycling Federation, was first held in 1988 before it became part of the UCI Africa Tour du Rwanda category 2.2 seven years ago.

This year’s race will attract 75 riders, five for each of the 15 teams which include; South Africa, Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Bike Aid, Global Cycling Team, Team Novo Nordisc Development, Team Haute Savoie Rhone Alpes and Team Loup Sports as well as Rwanda’s three teams; Karisimbi, Muhabura and Akagera.

Team Rwanda Cycling teams for Tour du Rwanda:

Team Muhabura – Ephrem Tuyishimire, Emile Bintunimana, Camera Hakuzimana, Gasore Hategeka, Nathan Byukusenge (Captain)

Team Akagera – Jean Claude Uwizeye, Jeremie Karegeya, Joseph Biziyaremye, Joseph Areruya, Abraham Ruhumuriza (Captain)

Team Karisimbi – Patrick Byukusenge, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Valens Ndayisenga, Janvier Hadi (captain)

Past winners since 2009:

2009: Adil Jelloul (MAR)           

2010: Daniel Teklehaymanot (ERI)       

2011: Kiel Reijnen (USA)          

2012: Darren Lill (RSA)               

2013: Dylan Girdlestone (RSA)              

2014: Valens Ndayisenga (RWA)          

2015?