Rwanda Cycling team left the country on Friday for Gabon to take part in the La Tropicale Amiss Bongo, the first race on the UCI Africa Tour calendar scheduled for January 18-14.

The team includes Janvier Hadi (captain), Joseph Haleluya, Joseph Biziyaremye, Camera Hakuzimana, Jeremie Karegeye and Patrick Byukusenge.

Tour du Rwanda reigning champions, Jean Bosco Nsengimana will travel with team but will ride for his new team Bike Aid (Germany). The team has been in intensive training in Musanze District.

Other teams that will competing in this year’s race include; Direct Energie (France), Fortuneo-Vital Concept (France), Funvic Soul Cycles-Carrefour (Brazil), Skydive Dubai (UAE), Bike Aid (Germany), Team Rwanda Cycling, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Last year, Team Rwanda finished in third position behind Skydive Dubai Pro Cycling Team and Team Europcar.

Team Rwanda was the best African team. Rwandan rider, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana finished in sixth position over all and the best in the U23 category.

Meanwhile, Valens Ndayisenga, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana and Adrien Niyonshuti are scheduled to travel to South Africa on Saturdayfor training at the Data Dimension training center.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw