The national cycling team has been invited to this year’s Vuelta a Colombia (Tour of Colombia) slated for June 13-26 across the South American cycling nation.

The development was confirmed by Aimable Bayingana, the Rwanda Cycling Federation president on Monday. Rated among, the world’s oldest cycling competitions, Vuelta a Colombia is in 2.2 UCI category, just like Tour du Rwanda.

The race is organised by the Colombian Cycling Federation and its first edition was held in 1951. Sometimes the competition extends to some parts of Venezuela and Ecuador.

Rwanda will be making their debut at the 66th edition of the annual race, but Team Rwanda has previously competed in Tour of Rio in Brazil.

In a telephone interview on Monday, Bayingana told Times Sport that the invitation is a good opportunity for Team Rwanda to make significant strides.

Before heading to Vuelta a Colombia, Team Rwanda will compete in Tour of Eritrea scheduled for April 19-23, and Tour of Rio in Brazil. Last year, Janvier Haji was the only Rwandan rider at the Tour of Rio.

Colombian Efrain Forero Trivino was the winner of the first edition in 1951; Colombia’s Rafael Antonia Nino has the most wins (6) while Spaniard Oscar Sevilla is the reigning champion.

Like Italy in Europe and Eritrea in Africa, Colombia is a renowned for producing world class cyclists such as Nairo Quintana who is number nine in UCI World rankings. This year, Team Rwanda has been to a number of international competitions like La Tropicale Amissa Bongo in February in Gabon, African Continental Road Championship in February in Morocco, Tour du Cameroun in March and Grand Cycling Tour of Algeria from March 4 to 28.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw