Team Rwanda eye top-five finish

A TOP five finish at this year’s African Continental Championship will suffice for Team Rwanda coach Jonathan Boyer. The championship rolls off this Wednesday in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara with over ten teams in contention. Rwanda’s quest will be spearheaded by South Africa based rider Adrien Niyonshuti, Nathan Byukusenge, Gasore Hategeka, Nicodem Habiyambere, Joseph Bizimuremyi and Angelique Mukandekezi in the women category.

Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Niyonshuti will lead Team Rwanda's hunt for honours. The New Times / File photo

A TOP five finish at this year’s African Continental Championship will suffice for Team Rwanda coach Jonathan Boyer.

The championship rolls off this Wednesday in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara with over ten teams in contention.

Rwanda’s quest will be spearheaded by South Africa based rider Adrien Niyonshuti, Nathan Byukusenge, Gasore Hategeka, Nicodem Habiyambere, Joseph Bizimuremyi and Angelique Mukandekezi in the women category.

"I have set realistic targets for the team and believe they can exceed those targets,” the American said.

The riders will compete in three categories which include a 36km Team trial for elite men and U-23 race, 18 km Individual team trial for women and 36 km for men and finally a road race of 146km for men and 62km for women.

Last year’s winner Daniel Teklehaimanot remains the odds-on favorite to win the race.

The Eritrean stormed to the title after edging his compatriot Meron Russom and Namibia’s Dan Craven. Niyonshuti finished eighth following mechanical failure.

Teklehaimanot also clocked 44:37 to win the individual time trial ahead of South Africa’s Reinhardt Janse van Rensburg and Azzedine Lagab of Algeria. Niyonshuti, who was two minutes and 24 seconds off the pace, followed in fourth place.

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