Stage 2 classifiction
1. Jason Tesson (Total Energies) 2h28'21"
5. Renus Byiza Uhiriwe (Team Rwanda) 2h28'21"
22. Eric Manizabayo (Team Rwanda) 2h28'21"
35. Moise Mugisha (Team Rwanda) 2h28'21"
General Classification
1. Geoffrey Soupe (Total Energies) 05h28’37’’
2. Jason Tesson (Total Energies) +1”
10. Moise Mugisha (Team Rwanda) +12”
13. Renus Byiza Uhiriwe (Team Rwanda) +13”
Total Energies rider Jason Tesson timed his sprint to perfection as he beat the likes of Rwanda’s Renus Byiza Uhiriwe to the finish line in Mitzic to claim Stage Two of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo race on Tuesday.
It took the Frenchman two hours 28 minutes and 21 seconds to win the 111.5 km tightly-contested stage from Oyem to Mitzic, overcoming the challenge from fellow Total Energies teammate Emilien Jeanniere and Danish rider Alexander Salby (Bingoal WB) who both used the same time to the finish line as Tesson.
Rwandan representatives put up notably much better performance on Tuesday compared to the opening day stage as Renus Byiza Uhiriwe (5th), Eric Manizabayo (22nd), Moise Mugisha (35th) and placed Patrick Byukusenge (41st) all clocked the same times as Stage Two winner Tesson.
Swayibu Kagibwami and former La Tropicale Amissa Bongo winner Joseph Areruya emerged 48th and 49th respectively.
Mugisha was part of the leading breakaway from early in the stage, and made a solo escape within fifteen kilometers to the finish line before he was overwhelmed and overtaken by the chasing group of Total Energies riders in the last three kilometers.
Riding for Team Rwanda, the 24-year old could only maintain his fighting spirit to not only claim the ‘Most Combative rider’ jersey but also move 10th on general classification after closing the gap on the general classification to just 12 seconds behind yellow jersey holder Geoffrey Soupe of Total Energies who sits top with five hours 28 minutes and 37 seconds after 233km.