Sunday

Stage 1: Kigali Golf Resort & Villas-Rwamagana

Itinerary: Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, Utexrwa, Yamaha, Nyabugogo, Gatsata, Nyacyonga, Gasanze (Kwa Mutwe), Batsinda, Kagugu, Kabuga, Ku Mavase, Kibabaga, Kimironko, (Mu Nganda), 15, 19, Masaka, Kabuga, Rugende, Gahengeri, Karondo, Nyagasambu, Gikoro, Ntunga, Bushenyi, Ntsinda, Dereva Hotel.

A record 95 cyclists are in the country with their eyes set on one Yellow Jersey of the long-awaited 15th edition of Tour du Rwanda cycling race.

The fifth since it became a 2.1 UCI Africa Tour in 2019, gets underway on Sunday. Hosts Rwanda has two representatives: Team Rwanda and May Stars while Algeria made a last-minute withdrawal due to logistical constraints.

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In the build-up to the top and most popular cycling competition in the region and arguably the biggest in Africa, Times Sport spoke to some cycling personalities to share their views prior to the event

Abdallah Murenzi, FERWACY president

I welcome all the participants to the race.

We are happy to have the famous riders during the Tour du Rwanda do we hope to have the best race. I am wishing for a warm welcome to everyone and may the best team win the race.

On the preparation part, we have done all we can and we hope to have the best race.

Freddy Kamuzinzi, race Director General

So far we are all set to kick off the race and we have prepared everything where we believe the riders and fans will be enjoying the race.

Moise Mugisha, Team Rwanda rider

We are ready for the race. I am happy to compete with world’s big name cyclists.

We have prepared well and we will be ready to give our best during the race.

I will, personally, give the best with my fellow teammates and we are ready to make sure that Rwandans are happy.

ALSO READ: Riders to watch at Tour du Rwanda 2023

Chris Froome, Israel Premier Tech rider

I am really happy to be here. It is an honor to be in Rwanda and to race in Tour Du Rwanda."

Kigali is an amazing city in a beautiful country so I am ready to compete and I know it is a big race so I am doing the sport I love and I am still motivated to do better. I am looking forward to regaining my form so that I can do better.

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Tour Du Rwanda is an unpredictable race and anything can happen. So we are here to compete and try to win the race and we are ready for the competition.