Line-up of the European races
1. Desselgem (86.7km) – July 7th 2. Menen-Kemmel-Menen (126.9km) – July 11th 3. Dentergrem (84.5km) – July 14th 4. Zottegem-Strijpen (88km) – July 15th 5. Zottegem-Strijpen (88km) – July 16th 6. Opwijk (96.6km) – July 18th 7. Veldegem (91.4km) – July 21st 8. Tielt (84km) – July 22nd 9. Izegem (96km) – July 23rd 10. Johan Museeuw Classic GP Stad Gistel (120km) – July 28th 11. Veldegem (91.4km) – July 29th
SIX teenage riders of Fly Cycling Club are set to discover European races with the club set to feature in eleven races, in Belgium, following a sponsorship deal with Skol Brewery Limited.
The youngsters will spend close to a month in Belgium. The delegation departs on Thursday (tomorrow) and is expected back in the country on July 31 after the race series.
This is the first time for a junior Rwandan team to compete outside the country for such a long time on a private company’s sponsorship. The objective of the trip is to give exposure to young and promising cycling talents on international scene.
Skol is one of the biggest partners of Rwanda Cycling Federation and main Sponsors of the famous annual Tour du Rwanda as well as the Rwanda Cycling Cup.
In particular, Fly Cycling Club is financially taken care of by the brewery company.
According to the company Brand Manager Emilienne Benerugo, the key objective for this motive is that by investing in these young riders at such a tender age, they may get nurtured into the next generation of top professionals to achieve greater heights for Rwanda.
"We decided to invest in youth because that’s where the potential is, we have seen that senior riders struggle a lot when they get a chance of professionally riding outside the country. This opportunity will help the youngsters not only to get familiar with racing in foreign environments but also learn how to integrate with communities when they may get a chance to race in future,” Benurugo told Times Sport in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.
Asked if the program is set to be conducted annually, Benerugo disclosed that; "For the moment we haven’t decided whether it is going to be regular, we want to first have this experience and assess the outcome and probably where to improve. If lucky, we can even get more partners on board and support this initiative every year – on a regular basis.”
According to Benerugo, the maiden trip is going to cost over Rwf 30M (€30,000).
The six youngsters who fly to Belgium this Thursday, include two riders from Rubavu-based Club Benediction and one from Rwamagana’s Les Amis Sportifs, and will be led by the reigning national champion (in junior category) Jean Eric Habimana.
The roster is also comprised of Yves Nkurunziza, Individual Time Trial (ITT) silver medalist at this year’s Africa Continental Championships, and Joseph Areruya’s young brother – Barnabe Gahemba Uhoranangoga.
The 11-race series in Belgium kicks-off on July 11 and will run through July 29.
Full 6-rider roster for the European trip
Jean Eric Habimana (Fly), Felicien Hakizimana (Fly), Jean Bapitiste Nsabimana (Fly), Jean Claude Nzafashwanayo (Club Benediction), Yves Nkurunziza (Club Benediction) and Bernabe Gahemba Uhorananingoga (Les Amis Sportifs)
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