Thursday
Stage 5: Karongi – Musanze (138.7 km)
Wednesday
Stage 4 (Select results)
1. Edwin Avila Vanegas (Isreal Academy) – 2:37:32
2. Torres Muiño Pablo (Interpro) – 2:37:32
3. Sirak Tesfom (Eritrea) – 2:37:35
4. Samuel Mugisha (DiData) – 2:37:35
5. David Lozano (Novo Nordisk) – 2:37:35
7. Didier Munyaneza (Benediction) – 2:37:37
23. Joseph Areruya (Delko Marseille) – 2:43:15
24. Merhawi Kudus (Astana) – 2:43:15
39. Valens Ndayisenga (Rwanda) – 2:43:25
53. Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Benediction) – 2:47:58
General Classification
1. Merhawi Kudus (Astana) – 13:48:19
2. Rein Taaramae (Direct Energie) – 13:48:17
3. Matteo Badilatti (Israel Academy) – 13:49:04
4. Ricardo Aguirre (Inter Pro) – 13:49:19
5. Sirak Tesform (Eritrea) – 13:52:33
10. Didier Munyaneza – 13:56:36
15. Joseph Areruya – 13:58:13
16. Valens Ndayisenga – 13:58:23
35. Jean Bosco Nsengimana – 14:09:55
Edwin Avila Vanegas, riding for Israel Cycling Academy, timed his surge to perfection to win Stage 4 of the 2019 Tour du Rwanda as Eritrean Merhawi Kudus retained the yellow jersey.
The Colombia-born rider edged out Inter Pro Team’s Spaniard Torres Muiño Pablo on the line to claim the 102.6km stage from Rubavu to Karongi, both districts in Western Province, as the duo clocked 2 hours, 37 minutes and 32 seconds apiece.
"It is a great joy to win my first stage in Tour du Rwanda, and my first win this year. I look forward to battling for a second victory in Stage 5 tomorrow,” Avila told Times Sport on Wednesday afternoon.
Avila who almost dropped out of the race after suffering an accident in Sunday’s Stage 1, is the first Colombian to ever win a stage in Tour du Rwanda – also regarded as Africa’s biggest cycling race.
Defending champion Samuel Mugisha, who finished in fourth position on Wednesday, was recognized as the most combative rider of the stage
Defending champion Samuel Mugisha, who looked poised for victory on Wednesday, finished in fourth position after being outpaced in the final two kilometres. He was beaten to the line by Eritrean Sirak Tesfom who took the third position, with both riders finishing two seconds off the stage victor.
For his effort, the 21-year took the jersey for most combative rider of the stage, courtesy of Rwanda Tea, while first runner-up Muiño Pablo was decorated as the best climber of the day.
Riders chat tactics during Stage 4 on Wednesday
The reigning national champion, Didier Munyaneza, snatched the jersey for best Rwandan rider in general classification from Joseph Areruya after the latter dropped to 15th – from 10th – position following his disappointing 23rd spot finish in Karongi.
With Munyaneza, 21, finishing seventh on Wednesday, he rode his way into top ten, in general classification, for the first time.
Edwin Avila Vanegas after winning Stage 4 on Wednesday.
Despite finishing in 24th place, Astana Pro Team’s MerhawiKudus maintained his 17-second lead in yellow jersey, and as well retained the RwandAir jersey for the best African rider.
"Today was about doing calculations, and keeping a close eye on my top four rivals. Chasing for another stage win was not a priority,” said Kudus.
Fans take all kinds of risks to watch their favorite riders
In the meantime, the race has so far recorded six abandons including Cameroon trio of Artuce Tella, Jacques Zang Ondoa and Gadji Yaou, Martin Lavric (Dimansion Data), Omer Goldstein (Israel Academy) and Gauthier Navarro of Inter Pro Cycling Academy.
Landscapes covered by tea plantations during Stage 4.
Rwandan Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, riding for Excel Energy Benediction Club, is at the bottom of the 72-man peloton still in the race.
It was a chilled Stage 4 for with no major highlights
Coming up on Thursday is Stage 5 where the riders hit the road for a 138.7km from Karongi to Musanze via Ngororero.