This year’s Rwanda Cycling Cup will start in May and end on October 23, less than three weeks before the start of Tour du Rwanda, according to the Federation (FERWACY).

The second edition, just the like the inaugural national cycling championship last year, will include 10 races.

Initially, the national championship was supposed to start on March 27, with the first race from Kigali to Nyagatare, which was postponed because some of the top riders were taking part in the just concluded Grand Tour d’Algerie.

Six Team Rwanda riders, including Joseph Areruya, Jean Claude Uwizeye, Joseph Biziyaremye, Jeremie Karegeya, Patrick Byukusenge and Samuel Mugisha took part in the Grand Tour d’Algerie.

The Rwanda Cycling Cup is aimed at preparing local riders ahead of international competitions as well as developing the young and upcoming riders.

Joseph Areruya was one of the riders, who improved significantly during the inaugural Rwanda Cycling Cup, and has been promoted to the elite Team Rwanda.

The riders will garner points from each race and after the all races there will be an overall national champion.

Winners of each of the ten races will get some amount of money in senior category and in the U23 category.

Jean Bosco Nsengimana, who also won the 2015 Tour du Rwanda, is the Rwanda Cycling Cup defending champion. This year edition of Tour du Rwanda, which is slated for November 13-20, has been extended to Rusizi district.

Rwanda Cycling Cup 2016

May 7: Kigali–Nyagatare (Agriculture Race)May 14: Muhanga–Rubavu (Kivu Race)May 21: Race to Remember + circuits: Kigali – RwamaganaJune 25: Cour Race against Clock: ITT / KicukiroJune 26: Kigali–Huye (Road Race)July 9: Nyamagage–Nyanza + circuit (Race for Culture)June 6: Rubavu–Musanze (Northern Race)Aug.20: Rwamagana–MuhangaSept 10: Bugesera – Kigali + Circuit (Tour de Kigali)Oct. 22: Karongi – RusiziOct. 23: Rusizi – Huye

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