RoutesPrologue 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)

THIS year’s Tour du Rwanda race, which begins on Sunday, will cost an estimated Rwf460 million, the president of Rwanda Cycling Federation (Ferwacy), Aimable Bayingana has said.

Bayingana said, on Tuesday, the eight-day competition promises to be better than previous editions as it is likely to be more competitive. The race will kick off November 13 through 20.

The 2014 and 2015 editions cost an estimated Rwf400 million while about Rwf372 million was spent during the 2013 edition. "We have a good budget to work with, thanks to our sponsors… we expect everything to be fine.” Bayingana said.   

The eighth edition of Tour du Rwanda is set to attract some 17 cycling teams, comprising five riders each, totaling to 85 riders. The teams include eight African national teams, four UCI continental teams, and five regional teams.  

"In terms of preparations, I think we are ready for the race. I am sure this time round we will see more surprises than during previous editions. We have three (Rwandan) riders who are riding for foreign teams which I think will bring more competition. We will also see exciting new talents, who constitute the future of Rwanda cycling,” Bayingana added. 

The 2014 Tour du Rwanda winner, Rwanda’s Valens Ndayisenga, along with compatriot Bonaventure Uwizeyimana will be riding for Team Dimension Data of South Africa, while defending champions Jean Bosco Nsengimana will race for Bike Aid of Germany. 

Bayingana said: "Everything is in the place and we are just read for kickoff.”

Ndayisenga became the first Rwandan to win Tour du Rwanda since its incorporation on the 2.2 Union Cycliste Internationale Africa calendar in 2009, with  Ndayisenga ensuring the country retained the title last year. 

"With the team that we have, we will do even better, they boys have been together for a while and share everything, and they have been working together as unit, which makes them a more competitive team,” Bayingana said. 

Haute Savoie and Decarte from Suisse are due to jet into the country on Thursday while SNH Cameroon, Dimension Data, Bike Aid, Lowest Rates Cycling of Canada are expected to arrive on Friday. The teams that are set to represent Rwanda; Team Rwanda (national team), Benediction Club (from Rubavu District) and Sports Club Friends of Rwamagana are set to arrive in the capital Kigali from their training centre in Musanze on Friday.

Canada’s Team LowestRates were the first foreign team to arrive in the country, having checked in at Champion Hotel in Remera, Kigali on Sunday. 

The teams to compete in the eight edition of Tour du Rwanda include: Team Rwanda, Team Kenya, Team Cameroon, Team South Africa, Team Ethiopia, Team Eritrea, Team Egypt and Team Algeria. 

The four UCI Continental teams expected include Dimension Data For Qhubeka (South-Africa), Kenyan Riders Downunder (Kenya), Cycling Academy Team (Israel) and Stradalli Bike Aid (Germany).  

Other clubs include Les Amis Sportif (Rwanda), Benediction Club (Rwanda), Team LowestRates.Com (Canada) Team Haute-Savoie Rhone-Alpes (France) and Team Furniture Decarte (Switzerland).

editorial@newtimes.co.rw