Rider Moise Mugisha was on a solo run as he went on to clinch the Royal Nyanza Race and close the Rwanda Cycling Cup with a head held high.
The ProTouch rider, 25, clocked three hours 20 minutes and three seconds (03h20’03”) to finish victorious in the 119 km race that took place in Nyanza District, Southern Province.
Mugisha, who came to the 13-lap race as a favorite, started off to a bright start as riders took departed from the King’s Palace street in Rukari heading as he took an early lead only on the second lap. His opponents failed to cope with his pace as he maintained the lead until the last lap to clinch the race and make it his third victory in a row after Musanze Gorilla Race on December 16, and Kibeho Race in November.
Only Eric Manizabayo challenged Mugisha until the last miles to the finish line at Nyanza Post Office as he only for the champion’s experience to save him and finish three seconds ahead of his Benediction Ignite rival.
Manizabayo’s teammate Etienne Tuyizere completed the podium as he finished the race four minutes and 29 seconds off the top.
Diane Ingabire won the women’s elite race after covering 93 kilometres in three hours 14 minutes and 25 seconds, finishing at the summit two seconds ahead of Xaverine Nirere, and Josiane Mukashema who came 14 minutes and 46 seconds shy.
In the U-23 men’s category, Benediction Ignite’s Etienne Tuyizere won the race followed by Samuel Niyonkuru (Individual) and Jean Eric Habineza (Individual) respectively.
Kibeho Race juniors champion Hashim Tuyizere of Les Amis Sportifs and Charlotte Iragena of Bugesera Cycling Team won the men and women’s junior races respectively.
Nyanza Royal Race was organised by Nyanza District in partnership with the local cycling governing body (Ferwacy) with the aim to promote tourism in the area as well as discovering young cycling talents hidden in Nyanza.
As announced by, FERWACY, the races are also part of early preparations for the Tour du Rwanda 2023, scheduled to be held in February 19-26 and the World Championship to be held in Rwanda in 2025.