In the absence of Rwanda’s top cyclists Adrian Niyonshuti and Nathan Byukusenge, Rafiki Uwimana emerged as Rwanda’s top performer at this year’s La Tropicale Amissa Bongo.

The competition that ran for five days in the Gabonese capital Libreville was the first competitive event on the 2009 International Cycling Union calendar. 

Uwimana clocked 18 hours and 35 minutes to finish 29th in the 646km race which ran from January 13-18.

Nyandwi Uwase was Rwanda’s second best cyclist after clocking 18 hours and 41 minutes to finish 30th.  

In the team rankings, Rwanda finished 10th out of 14 countries but Aimable Bayingana, the national cycling federation president still believes that the team deserves credit for its display.

"We have every reason to believe that we could have done better with our top cyclists (Niyonshuti and Byukusenge) around,” he said. The pair stayed behind after being selected to represent MTN Rwanda in a cycling event in South Africa.

Bayingana also said that the flat terrain in Gabon did not favour the team.

"We did not see the best from our cyclists because they are more lethal on hilly terrains,” Bayingana added.

Other cyclists on the Rwandan team included Abraham Ruhumuriza, Obed Ruvogera, Daniel Nyendahayo and Nicodem Hayibambere. It was Rwanda’s first appearance in the 4th edition which also attracted professional cyclists from Africa and Europe.

In the individual category, France continued her dominance as Mathieu Ladagnous won the race after clocking 15 hours, 59 minutes and 13 seconds.

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