2017 Giro d’Italia Under 23 stagesStage 1 (June 9): Imola-Imola (132.2km)Stage 2 (June 10): Castellarano-Castellarano (145.8km)Stage 3 (June 11): Bagnara of Romagna-Forlì (140.5km)Stage 4 (June 12): Forlì-Gabicce Mare (155.5km)Stage 5 (June 13): Semi-stage 1 Senigallia-Except (87.2km)

Semi-stage 2 Campocavalo-Campocavalo (14km)Stage 6 (June 14): Francavilla Al Mare-Casalincontrada (132.2km)Stage 7 (June 15): Francavilla at the Sea-Capo Imperatore (148.9km)

Rwanda’s promising cyclists Joseph Areruya and Samuel Mugisha will make their historic debut with Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka at the 40th edition of Giro d’Italia Under 23 that gets underway on Friday and will run until June 15.

The duo joined South Africa’s UCI Continental Team based in Lenno, Italy in January and have been involved in various competitions with the club around Europe. They have since greatly improved their game, hence making it into the six-man roster that will compete at the prestigious one-week event.

Areruya and Mugisha will be the first Rwandan riders to compete in the competition. Although the trio of Adrien Niyonshuti (now in the World Tour team), Valens Ndayisenga and Bonaventure Uwizeyimana passed through this team, they did not compete at this level.

Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka’s six-man roster is led by Areruya followed by El Medhi Chokri, Nicholas Dlamini, Kent Warwick Main, Mugisha and Louis Visser.

Speaking to Times Sport in a phone interview, Team Rwanda’s Areruya expressed his excitement to compete in the prestigious race and vowed to put up a good fight and make it a memorable debut.

"I’m really happy that we are going to compete in Giro d’Italia, it’s a big opportunity to boost our experience, we both feel ready,” said Areruya.

The duo says they want to use the competition to prepare for 2017 Tour du Rwanda.

This year’s Giro d’Italia Under 23 race will attract 28 teams, each fielding six riders.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw