Prologue Stage, Nov. 13: Amahoro Stadium-Amahoro Stadium (3.3km)

Stage 1 – Nov.14: Kigali-Ngoma (96.4km)

Stage 2 – Nov. 15: Kigali Convention Center-Karongi (124.7km)

Stage 3 –Nov. 16: Karongi-Rusizi (115.9km)

Stage 4 –Nov. 17: Rusizi-Huye (140.7km)

Stage 5 – Nov. 18: Muhanga-Musanze (125.8km)

Stage 6 – Nov. 19: Musanze-Kigali Regional Stadium (103.9km)

Stage 7 – Nov. 20: Kigali Amahoro Stadium-Kigali Amahoro Stadium (108.0km)

South Africa-based Team Dimension Data rider Valens Ndayisenga will be hoping to impress at the upcoming 2016 Tour du Rwanda, which is scheduled for November 13-20.

The 23-year-old, who will ride for his UCI Continental team, says he is ready for the event, "Yes, I am in high spirit to give my best for my team.” Ndayisenga became the first Rwandan to win Tour du Rwanda in 2014. 

In Team Dimension Data, Ndayisenga will be riding alongside compatriot Bonaventure Uwizeyimana as well as the Eritrean trio Eyob Metkel, Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier and Junrey Navarra.

Gebreigzabhier is another talented young rider from Eritrea, who hopes to emulate his countryman, Daniel Teklehaimanot, while Navarra is a promising mountain climber from the Philippines. He is strong in hilly terrains.

Ndayisenga and Uwizeyimana are training with Team Rwanda at the Africa Rising Cycling Training Center in Musanze.

"We have a good team which can do better in this year’s race. We have prepared well and I feel strong to give my best in the tour,” Ndayisenga told Sunday Sport.

Last year, Ndayisenga failed to finish the race when he was ruled out of the competition after he was diagnosed with angina (chest pain) on the fifth stage from Muhanga to Rubavu (139.3km), when he was third behind Jean Bosco Nsengimana, who won the race.

Ndayisenga noted that, "I have been training hard in Rwanda, which I think is the only way that will help to do well at the Tour du Rwanda. I am looking forward to what is expected to be a very competitive race.” 

The 2014 Tour du Rwanda winner added, "I was very disappointed not to finish the race last year, I hope things will go well for me and my team. I believe I have the potential to win the race.”

Rwanda will field one national team and two clubs at the 8th edition of the seven-stage 2.2 UCI-African Tour race. The clubs are; Benediction Cycling Club of Rubavu and Friends of Rwamagana Sports Club.

Previously, Rwanda has fielded three national teams – Akagera, Karisimbi and Muhabura.

In 2014, Ndayisenga became the first Rwandan rider to win the Tour du Rwanda since its inception on the UCI Africa calendar in 2009. A year later, Nsegimana became the second Rwandan to win the title; however, both will not ride for Team Rwanda.

Reigning champion Nsengimana will ride for his Germany-based UCI Continental Team Bike Aid—he’s also training along with the 15 riders, who will comprise the three Rwandan teams.

For the first time the race will reach the Southern part of the country following the addition of two new routes; Karongi-Rusizi (115.9km) and Rusizi-Huye (140.7km) as the annual event passes through Rwanda’s vast tropical rainforest of Nyungwe.

This year’s edition will have 85 riders, 17 teams from different parts of the world.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw