Stage 3: Kigali-Musanze 102km

1. JB Nsengimana 2h39’33’’2. P. Byukusenge 2h39’50’’3. J. Areruya 2h40’26’’4. V. Ndayisenga 2h40’29’’5. Winterberg Lucas 2h40’35’’

Other Rwandans:

6. Camera Hakuzimana 2h40’35’’10. Nathan Byukusenge 2h40’35’’12. Joseph Biziyaremye 2h40’36’’13. Jeremy Karegeye 2h41’36’’21. Bonavanture Uwizeyimana 2h44’25’’22. Jean Claude Uwizeye 2h44’25’’24. Janvier Hadi 2h44’25’’25. Abraham Ruhumuriza 2h44’25’’28. Hategeka Gasore 2h46’30’’34. Emile Bintunimana 2h47’04’’50. Ephrem Tuyishimire 2h58’12’’

General Classification

1. JB Nsengimana Team Karisimbi (08h36’21’’)2. V. Ndayisenga Team Karisimbi (08h37’24’’)3. Joseph Areruya Team Akagera (08h37’28’’)4. Julien Liponne Haute Savoie (08h37’34’’)5. Mekseb Debesay Bike Aid (08h37’35’’)6. Camera Hakuzimana Team Muhabura (08h37’39’’)7. Patrick Byukusenge Team Karisimbi (08h37’40’’)

Team Rwanda Karisimbi’s Jean Bosco Nsengimana has continued his impressive form after winning stage three of the ongoing Tour du Rwanda, from Kigali to Musanze, on Wednesday after clocking 2 hours, 39 minutes and 33 seconds, in a total distance of 102.7km.

The 22-year-old rider, who also won the prologue on Sunday, kept the race leader’s yellow jersey for a fourth day in a row as teammates Patrick Byukusenge (2h39’50’’) and Valens Ndayisenga (2h40’29’’) finished in second and fourth place respectively.

Team Rwanda Akagera’s Joseph Areruya came in third position with 2h40’26’’ while Suisse rider, Winterberg Lucas riding for Team Loup Sport completed the top five in 2h40’35’’.

From Kigali to Nyirangarama in Rulindo District, the riders were in a peloton until Team Rwanda riders started a breakaway run after the reigning champion Ndayisenga signaled Nsengimana, Byukusenge and Janvier to make a breakaway at Buranga hills.

Nsengimana and Byukusenge led the group from Buranga to the finish line in Musanze, arriving one minute and two seconds ahead of Eritrean Mekseb Debesay and his teammates.

After Nsengimana’s stage three win, Team Rwanda Karisimbi captain Hadi said they are now favourites to retain Tour du Rwanda, but have to work even harder in the remaining four days.

"It is very gratifying for us to lead the Tour until the third day but we still have a long way to go as we have to keep the yellow jersey until the last day. Yes we are doing well but it is not the end because we still have to win the remaining four stages,” Hadi told Times Sport.

Team Rwanda riders maintain in the top three positions in the General Classification—Nsengimana leads with 08 hours 36 minutes and 21 seconds, followed by Ndayisenga (08h37’24’’), Areruya is third clocking 08h37’28’’.

Frenchman Julien Liponne, of Team Haute Savoie is in fourth position with 08h37’34’’, while Mekseb from Bike Aid is in fifth position (08h37’35’’).

Nsengimana also retains the jerseys for best African, best Rwandan and best young rider, while Ammanuel Gebrezgabihier, riding for Eritrea national team took the best mountain climber jersey.

The Tour continues today with stage four with riders racing from Musanze to Nyanza District, covering a total distance of 160 kilometers.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw