After calling time on their cycling careers, Rwanda’s iconic cyclists Abraham Ruhumuriza and Nathan Byukusenge have joined the technical department of the national cycling team.

The duo are set to join Team Rwanda’s mechanical staff after undergoing a training course that will start on November 28 at Africa Rising Cycling Center in Musanze, according to Rwanda Cycling Federation (Ferwacy) president Aimable Bayingana

The former Team Rwanda most experienced duo took part in this year’s Tour du Rwanda helping their team finish in the third place in team rankings, behind South Africa’s Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka (first) and Ethiopia national team, that finished in the second place.

On individual performance, Ruhumuriza, 37, the five-time winner of Tour du Rwanda before it became part of UCI Africa tour, finished in the 15th place using a total time of 21 hours 24 minutes and 26 seconds.

Byukusenge, 36, the 2016 Rwanda’s Olympic flag bearer in mountain biking, finished in the 18th place posting 21 hours 29 minutes and 52 seconds.

Bayingana revealed that the federation, in collaboration with Africa Rising Cycling Centre, home of Team Rwanda, have decided to retain the two cyclists and they will undergo a mechanical training course after which they will join the national team staff.

"They are now going to be based at the cycling centre in Musanze and they will be given training courses on bike mechanics, and tour guidance, and will later be employed at the centre and we hope the course may take about a year, it will be conducted in different phases,” said Bayingana

He further noted; "They will also be helping us in talent detection and they will begin their first phase of mechanical training on November 28.”

Besides winning Tour du Rwanda for a staggering five times, Ruhumuriza won the 2012 Kwita Izina Cycling Tour, two stages at the 2010 Tour du Cameroon, finished in the fifth place in Tour du Rwanda twice (2009 and 2011) and finished 12th at the 2012 La Tropicale Amissa Bongo.

Byukusenge finished sixth at the 2011 African Continental Championship before finishing fourth at the 2011 Tour du Rwanda.

In 2016, he finished second in stage 3 of 16th Grand Prix Chantal Biya before carrying Rwanda’s flag at the Olympic Games that took place in Brazil in mountain bike.

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