THE national cycling team-Team Rwanda departs this afternoon for the African continental road cycling championship that will run from November 4 to 8 in Windhoek-Namibia.

The five- day event will attract 17 teams ranging from Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Rwanda, San Tome & Principe, Seychelles, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Team Rwanda includes South African based rider Adrien Niyonshuti, Supa Tour of Kigali winner Nathan Byukusenge, Kwita Izina cycling challenge tour winner Abraham Ruhumuriza, Gasore Hategeka, Nicodem Habiyambere and Uwase Nyandwi.

Team Rwanda Coach Jonathan Boyer told Times Sport that they had assembled a good team capable of finishing inside the top 10.

"Our target is to have the team finish in the top 10.and that is very feasible, because they are all good riders. Niyonshuti has been doing well with MTN Energade.

We also have plenty of experience in the team,” the American said.

The annual competition will include a road race, an individual time trial and a team trial. Male cyclists will compete in the senior and Under 23 categories, while female cyclists will compete in the senior category.

After the Namibian tour, the cyclists will return to compete in Rwanda’s premier cycling event-the Tour of Rwanda slated for November 16 to 24.

Ends