Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) has nominated Adrien Niyonshuti to represent the country at the forthcoming 2016 Rio Olympics cycling road race, replacing Janvier Hadi.

In an exclusive interview with Times Sport, FERWACY president Aimable Bayingana said the decision to take Niyonshuti to Rio, instead of Hadi, is a tactical move based on the former’s experience.

The 25-year-old Hadi, who rides for the Germany-based UCI Continental team Stradalli–Bike Aid, had an impressive 2015 in which he won the All African Games gold medal as well as performing well in different international competitions. 29-year-old Niyonshuti rides for South African UCI Continental Team Dimension Data.

"For the Olympic Games cycling, it is the country that qualifies, not individuals, Rwanda qualified in two categories; Mountain Bike where we have Nathan Byukusenge and Road Race in which we shall be represented by Adrien,” Bayingana revealed on Wednesday.

Nathan Byukusenge, 36, is affiliated to local side Benediction Club A and was nominated after impressing during the African Continental Mountain Bike Championships held in Musanze, in May last year.

"We decided to have Adrien instead of Hadi, after putting into consideration how the two are currently fairing in their respective teams. Statistics show that with Adrien, we have better chances,” Bayingana explained.

He also disclosed that FERWACY is working on how the two will carry out their final extensive preparations.

Second Olympics for Niyonshuti

Niyonshuti began amateur cycling at the age of 16 in his native Rwamagana District, Eastern Province, until 2006, when he caught the eye of former American professional cyclist, Jonathan Boyer during the first Wooden Bike Classic.

After riding for the Rwanda national cycling team, Niyonshuti secured a professional contract with Team MTN Cycling in 2009.

He made his UCI European road race debut in August 2009 with his participation in the 2009 Tour of Ireland, becoming the first Rwandan cyclist to ride in the European professional peloton.

In 2012, Adrien Niyonshuti became the first Rwandan cyclist to complete an Olympic cycling event. His historic moment came in the Cross Country Olympic (XCO) race in Hadleigh Farm, England at the London Olympics.

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