Rwandan cycling fans and analysts have tipped local riders to win 2016 Tour du Rwanda edition, which will starts Sunday through November 20.

The UCI Africa Tour 2.2 road race will comprise seven stages and a prologue, covering a total distance of 911.6 kilometres across the country.

Some local sports journalists, who have been following Tour du Rwanda over the years, tipped the home riders to shine and probably win the title for the third year in a row, following the success of Valens Ndayisenga (2014) and last year’s winner Jean Bosco Nsegimana.

However, these two will not be riding Team Rwanda this time round nor for any of the two local clubs; Benediction Club and Les Amis Sportif de Rwamagana.

Instead, Ndayisenga and Nsengimana will be representing their UCI Continental teams; Dimension Data For Qhubeka and Stradalli Bike-Aid (Germany), respectively.

Radio 10 sports presenter Jah d’Eau Dukuze says that the fact that Rwanda will have a higher number of competitors (18) – three more than during the last two editions – gives the hosts the edge over their rivals.

Dukuze said Rwanda can retain the title through Valens Ndayisenga (winner in 2014), Hategeka Gasore, Joseph Areruya or Jean Bosco Nsengimana (the 2015 champion).

"I expect a strong performance from Rwandan riders in the competition regardless of which team they ride for. This year’s edition will also attract more competitive team than previous editions, it will be fascinating to see how it all unfolds,” said Dukuze.

He noted that, "The tougher the race, the higher the chances of Rwandans winning the title, especially because they know the routes and terrain more than their rivals, but having said that, our riders will face stiff competitions from other top riders from around the continent.”

Dukuze pointed out that Rwanda’s hopes to win Tour du Rwanda for a third successive year will be tested by the likes of Lagab Azzedine and Mansour Abderrahmane of Algeria national team as well as Eritrea national team’s Tesfom Okubamariam, who is ranked first in UCI Africa Tour 2016.

Radio Flash sports presenter Claude Hitimana also admitted that he expects this year’s Tour du Rwanda to be a lot more competitive compared to the previous editions.

"Every rider is strong in their own right, but I think defending champion Nsengimana and the 2014 winner Ndayisenga are the two men to beat in this year’s race. It will also be interesting to see how the riders negotiate the grueling stages of Karongi-Rusizi, Rusizi-Huye, and Musanze-Kigali,” said Hitimana.

"My favourite to win this Tour of Rwanda is Ndayisenga. He won it in 2014 and is still hungry for more success. He also knows the terrain very well and the climate too. Secondly, he is riding in a very strong team Dimension Data (of South Africa),” he added.

Belinda Kamaliza, a resident of Kimironko, said: "We want to make history by winning the Tour for the third time, we are always behind the riders and can’t wait for the kickoff on Sunday.”

"We are ready to cheer our boys. I am confident Rwandans will retain Tour du Rwanda, our riders have matured and gained a great deal of experience over the years,” Thierry Tumushime, a cycling fan in Remera, a Kigali suburb.

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