The 15th edition of Tour du Rwanda cycling race is scheduled for February 19-26, 2023, the local cycling governing body (FERWACY) has confirmed.

Arguably the biggest race of the UCI Africa Tour calendar, the annual cycling race attracts riders from countries across the globe contesting for the pride of their respective teams, nations or clubs, while racing through a designed itinerary nationwide.

The teams set to participate will be announced in November alongside the itinerary for the forthcoming race edition.

In 2021, Rwanda was represented by two teams: Benediction Cycling club and the national cycling team, Team Rwanda. The same teams are expected to return for the 2023 race.

May Stars, a new Cycling Team initiated by Eritrean professionals, could make their debut in Tour du Rwanda 2023, just a year after registering in Rwanda as the latest continental cycling team.

Times Sport understands that the national team will be represented by young players aged below 23 years, in efforts to give them a platform to undergo early preparations for the 2025 Road World Championship which will take place in Rwanda.

They will be selected based on how they will perform during the forthcoming Tour du Faso and La Tropicale Amissa Bongo which will both take place in January 2023.

Eritrea’s Natnael Testefazion who rides for Italian Club Drone Hopper–Androni Giocattoli, is the reigning champion of the race. He is the only rider to have won the tournament twice since it was sanctioned to 2.1 on the UCI Africa Tour calendar in 2019.

No Rwandan rider has won the race.

Only Moise Mugisha managed to win a stage during last year's edition.