Rwanda Cycling Federation has organised a one day race dubbed Tour de Kigali that takes place Saturday around the City of Kigali.

The race will have five categories which include; men, juniors, seniors, women and U23. The junior categories will race a total distance of 96 Km while the women will compete for 72km which is six laps.

The seniors and U23 category will race for 108km.

Organised by the Rwanda Cycling Federation, the Cycling Cup race helps local cyclists prepare for continental competitions.

The event attracts all local cycling clubs including foreign-based Rwandan cyclists. The riders will earn points from each race and the winner is announced at the end of all the races.

As has been the case in its last four editions, the year-round series will end in December as Team Rwanda will be preparing for La Tropicale Amissa Bongo in January and Tour du Rwanda the following month.

The clubs that will take part in today’s race include Skol Fly Cycling Club, Cycling Club For All, Muhazi Cycling Generation, Kigali Cycling Club, Kayonza Young Stars Cycling Team, Les Amis Sportifs, Benediction Club, Karongi Vision Sports Center and Nyabihu Cycling Team.

The 5th edition will test the cycling power and talent from riders seeking to dethrone two-time winner Gasore Hategeka in elite men’s category, Eric Muhoza in junior men’s category as well as Valentine Nzayisenga in the women’s category.

Gasore, 32, became the first rider to win the coveted Rwanda Cycling Cup twice last year following his 2016 triumph. Jean Bosco Nsengimana won the inaugural edition in 2015, while Patrick Byukusenge claimed it in 2017.

Rwanda Cycling Cup was inaugurated in 2015, and has since kept Skol and Cogebanque as its main sponsors.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com