Rwanda Cycling Federation (Ferwacy) president, Abdallah Murenzi, has said that they are 100 per cent ready for a successful race as the Tour du Rwanda 2020 edition edges closer. 

The 12th edition of the annual race starts on Sunday, February 23, and will run through March 1 across all five provinces of the country.

Following the unveiling of Team Rwanda on Monday, which comprises three former Tour du Rwanda winners, Murenzi said that this year’s race will be bigger, better, more competitive and more entertaining than it has ever been.

For the second time in a row, Tour du Rwanda will have in its peloton a UCI World Tour team- Israel Cycling Academy – following the participation of Astana Pro Team last year.

"The race will be tougher – for riders – and more entertaining for fans,” said Murenzi.

"Everything is in place for a successful race. Our teams even started training earlier than usual, so we expect better results than last year.”

During the Tour du Rwanda’s maiden edition as a 2.1 race last year, Joseph Areruya – who is part of Team Rwanda this year – finished as the best Rwandan in ninth position, 7 minutes and 10 seconds behind Eritrean Merhawi Kudus (24:12:37) who took home the coveted Yellow Jersey.

Tour du Rwanda was first organised in 1988 as an amateur race, and it was not until 2009 that it turned international. Last year, after ten years in UCI 2.2 category, it was upgraded to 2.1 in the cycling world body’s hierarchy of cycling events.

"In the organisation aspect, every detail has been given due attention.”