Team Rwanda rider Emmanuel Iradukunda has pulled out of the Road World Championships taking place in Wollongong, Australia, where he is hospitalised due to severe cold weather.

The rider represented Rwanda in Friday’s U23 Men’s race alongside his compatriot Renus Byiza Uhiriwe but they failed to finish the race.

Iradukunda was rushed to hospital after just three laps as his body struggled to adapt to the Australian cold weather.

Iradukunda and Uhiriwe are part of the five-player Team Rwanda squad representing the country at the ongoing UCI Road World Championships which has been underway since Sunday, September 18 and is set to conclude on Sunday, September 25.

The duo was the first to ride for Rwanda during the race with Valentine Nzayisenga, the lone Rwandan female representative at the tournament, set to compete in the Women’s Elite race slated Saturday, September 24 while Moise Mugisha and Eric Manizabayo will compete in Elites race scheduled Sunday, September 25.