Former Rwandan international rider Adrien Niyonshuti has been appointed as head coach of the Benin Cycling National team for the 2023 season.

Niyonshuti’s signing comes just a few days before the country’s cycling team travels to Gabon ahead of La Tropicale Aissa Bongo race slated for January 23-29.

He will be assisted by four home grown coaches as the Beninese cycling governing body looks to give a chance to Beninese cyclists to be part of the development of the sport in the country.

His appointment was hailed by a number of people in the cycling ecosystem including the Beninese press which is convinced his experience can uplift the country’s cycling to continental scene.

In his first assignment, Niyonshuti is taking a six-man roster of Beninese riders for the Tropicale Amissa Bongo 2023 as he looks forward to using his experience at continental elite races to lift the team to the delight of his new employers and Beninese cycling enthusiasts at large.

The 36-year-old tactician, who represented Rwanda twice in Olympic Games, is the only former Rwandan rider to coach a national cycling team.

During his prime days, the former Tem Rwanda rider won the 2008 Tour du Rwanda and, for nearly a decade – from 2009 to 2017, competed at World Tour stage with South African side Dimension Data before retiring in 2018.

He is credited for unearthing young talents through his academy, Adrien Niyonshuti Cycling Academy.