After hours of talks with local cycling governing body (Ferwacy), May Stars have finally been selected to mark their debut at the much-anticipated Tour du Rwanda 2023 slated for February 19-26.

The Kigali-based club replaces Benediction Kitei Pro 2020 who announced their withdrawal from the prestigious race on Sunday after failing to register as a UCI Continental team which as a result saw them restricted from participating.

ALSO READ: Benediction Kitei Pro 2000 pull out of Tour du Rwanda 2023

Following their withdrawal, MayStar immediately entered showdown talks with Ferwacy over a potential selection to mark their dream debut at the continental race.

ALSO READ: MayStar in talks to replace Benediction Kitei at Tour du Rwanda 2023

"May Stars would like to announce that the organizers of Tour du Rwanda have officially selected our team to participate in the tour commencing on Feb 19, 2023." The club announced on their Twitter account on Tuesday.

With close to two weeks until the 2023 Tour du Rwanda kick off, the club has already stepped up preparations with a goal of challenging for the Yellow Jersey.

"May Stars would like to announce that the Organizers of Tour du Rwanda has officially selected our team to participate in the tour commencing on Feb 19, 2023." MayStar announced on their Twitter.

Based in Kigali, the club is a product of a partnership between Ferwacy and Maystar, a group of Eritreans who have dedicated their passion in the cycling game.

The club was founded with the aim of unearthing talents and developing a new generation of professional cyclists.

It is also one of the teams that participated during the 2022 Rwanda Cycling Cup season.

The team, however, had their application to participate at Tour du Rwanda 2023 pending Ferwacy approval until they presented the license provided by the Switzerland-based world cycling governing body (UCI) as a continental team, becoming only the second Rwandan team with the UCI registration badge.

Eritrea’s Natnael Testefasion who rides for Italian Club Drone Hopper–Androni Giocattoli, is the reigning champion of the race. He is the only rider to have won the tournament twice since it was sanctioned to 2.1 on the UCI Africa Tour calendar in 2019.

No Rwandan rider has won Tour du Rwanda since the tournament was sanctioned to the 2.1 UCI cycling races in 2019, ending their serial dominance under the 2.2 racing category.