Moise Mugisha celebrates the victory as he crosses the finish line of the inaugural Kibeho Race on Saturaday, November12 at Kibeho in Nyaruguru District. Courtesy
Moise Mugisha, who rides for South African cycling side ProTouch, on Saturday, November 12, won the inaugural Kibeho Cycling race, overcoming stiff competition from Eric Manizabayo.
Mugisha used two hours 34 minutes and 58 seconds (3h34’58”) to cover the 97 kilometres of the one-lap race happening for the first time in Nyaruguru District.
The 25-year-old came to the race as a favorite to win alongside Eric Manizabayo who leads the Rwanda Cycling cup so far this.
The duo was wheel-to-wheel during the sprint to the finish line at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Kibeho but Mugisha’s experience helped him finish at the summit.
He finished two seconds ahead of Manizabayo while Patrick Byukusenge completed the podium as he finished the race three minutes and 13 seconds off the top.
Josiane Mukashema won the women’s elite race after covering 86kilometres in two hours 44 minutes and 36 seconds, finishing at the summit ahead of Jacqueline Tuyishime, Diane Ingabire and Valentine Nzayisenga who all used the same times to the finish line.
In the junior’s categories, Hashim Tuyizere of Les Amis Sportifs and Claudette Nyirahabimana of Benediction Club won the men and women’s junior races.
The Kibeho race triumph keeps Mugisha in the race for the Rwanda Cycling Cup which remains Manizabayo’s to lose, having won two races in Kibugabuga and the Gisaka race in Kirehe District, Eastern Province.
The Kibeho race also saw some home grown cyclists showcasing their talent during the amateur race.
Using his ballon bike, 20-year-old Jean Pierre Ndayisenga proved his worth in front of home supporters. He won the race ahead of Augustin Nyirinkindi and Daniel Ntigurirwa who emerged second and third, respectively.
The next race for the Rwanda Cycling Cup shifts to Musanze on December 9.
A stand where catholic church believers can buy holy water and other items that are used for catholic church believers. Kibeho Parish has been a global pilgrimage destination for Roman Catholics since the Virgin Mary appeared on 28th November 1981. The focal point is Kibeho Church, where the faithful receive Holy Communion. Courtesy
President of FERWACY, Abdallah Murenzi (right) flanked with other officials to flag off the inaugural Kibeho Race in Nyaruguru District on Saturday, November 12.
Huye based riders of Cycling Club for All (CCA) captured here with their sponsors (Horizon Express) just before the race .
At least 19 teams took part in the race. Bugesera Cycling Team, Cine Elmay, Cycling Team for All, Fly Club, Les Amis Sportifs, Karongi Vision Sports Center, Kayonza Young Starts Cycling Team, Kigali Cycling Club, Muhazi Cycling Generation and Nyabihu Cycling Team, Twin Lakes, Cycling Academy, Musanze Cycling Club, Impeesa and Rukali Cycling Club, Benediction Ignite, May Star and Protouch.
The inaugural Kibeho Race covered a distance of 97 kilometers for elites men, juniors and women cover 85 kilometers while amateurs did 30 kilometers.
The race is aimed at promoting local tourism and discovery of young cycling talent. And according to Rwanda Cycling Federation the newly competition is set to be held annually.
The 97 kilometers race started in Huye District and rolls in the newly completed Huye-Kibeho road to reach the holy land.
Joseph Areruya leads the peloton as they ride to Nyaruguru during the inaugural Kibeho Race .The race is aimed at promoting local tourism and discovery of young cycling talent.
The race is aimed at promoting local tourism and discovery of young cycling talent. Kibeho usually has many visitors who go there for the apparitions and feasts of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary.
Eric Manizabayo during the race, The Kibeho race triumph keeps Mugisha in the race for the Rwanda Cycling Cup which remains Manizabayo’s to lose, having won two races in Kibugabuga and the Gisaka race in Kirehe District, Eastern Province.
Josiane Mukashema who wins the race in Women category, celebrates the victory while crossing the finish line. She covered 86kilometres in two hours 44 minutes and 36 seconds, finishing at the summit ahead of Jacqueline Tuyishime, Diane Ingabire and Valentine Nzayisenga
Les Amis Sports junior Hashim Tuyizere celebrates the win in Juniors category
Moise Mugisha, the winner, Eric Manizabayo (Rigit) the 2nd, and Patrick Byukusenge (Lefte) the 3rd with officials during the awarding ceremony.
Eric Manizabayo, who was the second .The Kibeho race triumph keeps Mugisha in the race for the Rwanda Cycling Cup which remains Manizabayo’s to lose, having won two races in Kibugabuga and the Gisaka race in Kirehe District, Eastern Province.
The race is aimed at promoting local tourism and discovery of young cycling talent.
Moise Mugisha, the winner, Eric Manizabayo (Rigit) the 2nd, and Patrick Byukusenge (Lefte) the 3rd with officials during the awarding ceremony.
Kibeho Parish has been a global pilgrimage destination for Roman Catholics since the Virgin Mary appeared on 28th November 1981. The focal point is Kibeho Church, where the faithful receive Holy Communion.
During the race, local residents were given opportunity to compete with their bicycles .
Today the site is host to pilgrims throughout the year with two majors dates dominating the calendar – Assumption Day (15th August) and 28th November (the anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s appearance).
The inaugural Kibeho Race, which is one of different races of Rwanda Cycling Cup, has allowed amateur riders to showcase their ability in cycling sport.
The Kibeho race also saw some home grown cyclists showcasing their talent during the amateur race.
Amateur cyclists showcasing their talents during the inaugural Kibeho Race on Saturday November 12 in Nyaruguru District.
Kibeho based bicycle users during an amateur race. Captured here walking with their bicycles as they face a climb during an interesting amateur race.
Local residents during a race for amateur that was mainly organized to detect some hidden talents of local cyclits.
Augustin Nyirinkindi, the local cyclist celebrate his performance after finishing in the second position during the Amateur race that covered 30km.
Jean Pierre Niyonkuru the winner of the Amateur race that covered 30km, seen here after crossing the finish line in Nyaruguru..