Team Rwanda captain Nathan Byukusenge has announced he will retire from competitive cycling at the end of this year, ending a 13-year career for one of Rwanda’s cycling greats.

Born on 8th August 1980, in Gihara (now Kamonyi District) in the Southern Province, Byukusenge started competitive cycling in 2003, and has gone on to become one of the country’s most famous cyclists—he began his career at the same time as Adrien Niyonshuti, who is now based in South Africa.

"Yes, I am planning to retire this year, I enjoyed this sport for a long time, but I think it’s about time for me to quit. Riding is all I have wanted to do and I think I have achieved all I wanted in my career,” the 36-year-old told this paper on Wednesday.

He added that, "I don’t expect to continue riding (competitively) after this year. I will see what to do next, but of course working with younger riders and helping them to develop will be one of my priorities.”

"I am talking to the (Team Rwanda) coach Jonathan ‘Jock’ Boyer and the president of Rwanda Cycling Federation to see how I can help the younger riders. I will continue to be involved in developing our cycling,” noted the veteran Benediction Club and Team Rwanda rider.

The 36-year-old started his career with Nyamirambo-based Ciney Elmay where he was introduced by Daniel Ngendahayo using a normal bicycle.

"I have always wanted to be a role model for cyclists in Rwanda, which means that even when I am retired; I need stay involved in the sport I love, and to encourage the kids to take up cycling as a professional sport that can change their lives forever. Through the sport I have got friends and I travelled around the world so I am happy,” he noted.

Before venturing into cycling as a sport, Byukusenge started cycling as a means of earning income transporting people in his home area in Gihara. He was introduced to professional racing by American trainer Boyer.

In 2004, he began racing on a professional speed bike and has developed into the most experienced rider in the country. He says that his passion for cycling is based on the fact that it is his only opportunity to provide for his family.

The father of two boys noted that, "I have achieved what I wanted in cycling and I am happy to reach this level and I want to give chance to the younger guys. I will always be happy to help them to reach far in their career.”

"I think I have done a lot for the sport, I believe no one can blame me (for the decision to retire) so I have to give a chance to the young kids. I will continue to held the riders and give everything I can to motivate them,” the soft-spoken Byukusenge promised.

Byukusenge, who is competing in his last Tour du Rwanda, bows out without winning the country’s most prestigious race; he raced in Tour du Rwanda between 2004 and 2008, before it was added on the UCI-Africa Tour in 2009.

In 2011, he came 2nd in the National Road Race Championships and 4th overall in Tour du Rwanda while he came in 6th position at African Time Trial Championships held in South Africa.

He also finished 3rd at the National Championships Road Race in 2013, 2nd in 2012, 6th in Kwita Izina Cycling Tour in 2012 and 15th in the 2012 Tour du Rwanda.

Byukusenge, is one of the pioneer members of Team Rwanda, together with Abraham Ruhumuriza, and is also the team leader, yet at 36, he is still incredibly strong and racing internationally.

Byukusenge is also the team’s best mountain biker. In addition to racing, he loves cooking and loves taking charge of the kitchen when Team Rwanda is in camp at the Africa Rising Cycling Training Center in Musanze district, Northern Province.

In 2005, he was given a five-speed bike, and he trained alone and two years later, the first Rwandan cycling team was born under the auspices of a former American champion, Boyer. Byukusenge came to the selections, and was among the top five elected.

Since then, he has progressed to the rhythm of the development of Rwandan cycling. He traveled all over the African continent and Europe. From cycling he has been able to build a house for his family in Kamonyi.

In 2014, he planned to retire, but because Rwandan cycling was fast progressing and a national training center opened in Musanze, to improve the facilities available to local riders, he changed his mind and decided to stay on a little longer.

In 2016, he competed at the Rio Olympic Olympics Mountain Bike race, for his Olympics debut but unfortunately didn’t finish..

editorial@newtimes.co.rw