The 12th Tour du Rwanda came to a climax Sunday afternoon in Kigali after eight busy days of cycling across the country. And, the riders – and fans alike – did not disappoint.

To everyone’s satisfaction, including Amina Lanaya, Director General of the International Cycling Union (UCI) who watched the last two stages over the weekend, Tour du Rwanda once again proved why it is billed as the biggest cycling race on the African continent.

For the first time in nine years, a rider scooped four stage victories in one Tour du Rwanda edition, through Colombian sprint ace Valencia Jhonatan Restrepo who won the third, fifth and sixth stage as well as Saturday’s 4.5km individual time trial.

Colombian Valencia Jhonatan Restrepo won record-equalling four stages in one (this year's) Tour du Rwanda edition, which was previously done only by American Kiel Reijnen in 2011. / Plaisir Muzogeye

However, the 25-year old, who was featuring for Italian team Androni Giocattoli, could hardly finish in 7th place overall, 2 minutes and 25 seconds behind champion Natnael Tesfazion.

Also, for the second year running, home riders failed to win a single stage.

Combining for a total 889 kilometres, this year’s race catered for all specialties from climbers, some flat parcours in-between to sprinters.

Riding for debutants Skol Adrien Cycling Academy (SACA), Rwanda’s Moise Mugisha put up a brave fight throughout as he finished second overall, and second in Sunday’s ultimate stage.