Today, Rwandan riders begin the hunt to complete what would be a historic hat-trick of Tour du Rwanda tile following their dominance of the last two editions.

After Valens Ndayisenga in 2014 and Jean-Bosco Nsengimana in 2015, the riders from the country of ‘Thousand Hills’ will start their quest with the 3.3km prologue around Amahoro National Stadium.

With ten stage victories since 2009, the Rwandan riders now compete in the superior level with other major cycling nations like Eritrea, Algeria and South Africa, who will try throughout the week, to beat the Rwandans on their soil.

The Tour of Rwanda 2016 will have the particularity of having all the continents represented, with riders from New Zealand, Philippines, Israel, United States, Canada, France and Switzerland alongside the best African nations.

On a course of 819.1 kilometres in seven stages plus a prologue, by covering 20.593 metres altitude, the Rwandans are ready to take up the challenge for a third consecutive victory.

Here Sunday Sport brings you the 10 things that you probably didn’t know about the 2.2 UCI Africa Tour race.

1. Youngest winners

Since its inception as part of UCI Africa Tour, category 2.2 race in 2009, Rwandan Valens Ndayisenga became the is the youngest rider to win Tour du Rwanda in 2014, at the age of 20 years and 326 days.

The second youngest overall winner is Eritrean Daniel Teklehaimanot in 2010, aged 22 and Rwandan reigning champion Jean-Bosco Nsengimana, also won it at the age of 22.

2. Longest stages

The three longest stages in Tour du Rwanda have been; Rubavu-Nyanza (182.4km) in 2014, Musanze-Nyanza (166.2km) in 2015 and Rubavu-Kigali (163.5km) in 2009.

3. Youngest stage winners

Eritrean Kudus Merhawi is the youngest rider to win a stage. In 2012, he won stage 1 from Kigali-Nyagatare, aged just 18. Natnael Berhane, also of Eritrea, took stage 7, Ngoma-Huye, aged 19, while in 2013, Valens Ndayisenga took stage 2, (Rwamagana-Musanze), also aged 19 years.

4. Countries with most stage wins

Since 2009, the countries that have won most stages are Eritrea (15 times), followed by Rwanda (10), South Africa and Morocco stand in the third and fourth places having won eight stages each.

5. The most visited cities

Kigali is the most visited city with 54 times (29 starts and 25 arrivals) followed by Rubavu with 13 times (7 starts and 6 arrivals) while Huye comes third with 12 times (6 starts and 6 arrivals) with Muhanga in the fourth with 11 times (7 starts and 4 arrivals).

6. The most faithful riders

Rwanda’s Nathan Byukusenge and Gasore Hategeka are the most faithful riders. They have participated in all the eight editions. This year, they will team up for Team Rwanda.

7. Fastest stage

Stage 8, Kigali-Kigali in 2012, is currently the fastest stage on record. The 124.3km stage was covered on an average of 49.57km/h.

8. Most countries on the final podium

The countries to have reached the podium most times are Rwanda and South Africa, each six times, while Eritrea follows closely in second, with five appearances.

9. 74 riders entered in 2016

A total of 74 riders will compete in this year’s edition. This is the second largest participation after the 2010 edition that had 95 riders.

10. 363 participants since 2009

Since 2009, a total of 363 riders from all over the world have competed in the annual event. This year a total of 39 riders will make their first appearance.

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