Four riders of the national cycling team (Team Rwanda) flew out to France on Tuesday afternoon ahead of at this year’s Tour de Vendée, which is due October 6.

The team left Kigali at 2pm, aboard a Brussels Airlines flight.

Rwanda will be making its first appearance in the annual race, and will as well be the sole national team in the 17-team peloton. This year marks the race’s 48th edition.

The quartet, which is led by Samuel Mugisha, is due to link up with France-based duo of Moise Mugisha and Jean Claude Uwizeye to make a six-man roster for the UCI 1.1 category race.

The other members of the team include Didier Munyaneza, Eric Manizabayo and Jean Claude Nzafashwanayo who all feature for local giants Benediction Excel Energy.

"Every team in the race is good, and probably more experienced, but we want put on a strong on a strong performance and showcase Rwanda cycling to the world,” Munyaneza, who recently won Rubavu Circuit, told Times Sport before the team’s departure.

The one-day gruesome race will be 199.5km long, half of which will be a circuit contest.

"We have collective strength and individual brilliance on the team. I am confident we will leave a good impression in France,” he added.

Mugisha, 21, who rides for Dimension Data and Uwizeye, who plies his trade with French side Sables Vendée, are the most senior riders on the line-up, which will be under the watchful eye of Stephen Laget with the assistance of American tactician Sterling Magnell.

German cyclist Nico Denz, who rides for UCI World Tour team AG2R La Mondiale, won last year’s edition of the race.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com