Four East African countries have been invited to take part in the 14th edition of Tour de Rwanda, organizers have confirmed.

The invited Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania who have been regular participants in the previous events. The prestigious annual event that will cover up to 1100km is the third on Rwanda Cycling Federation national calendar after Ascension de Mille Colline and Tour de Kigali.

"We are expecting all the invited countries to turn up. Uganda has already confirmed and we are optimistic about the others,” Emmanuel Murenzi, Permanent Secretary in the local cycling body said yesterday.

Initially, organizers had hoped that this year’s event would attract international riders unfortunately such hopes were dashed because it (event) is not recognized by the international cycling body. Last year’s event attracted riders from the same four countries that have been invited for this year’s.

Rwandan riders dominated last year’s race, which was won by Abraham Ruhumuriza, who finished ahead of Team Rwanda team mates Adrian Niyonshuti, Obed Ruvogera, Nathan Byukusenge, Uwase Nyandwi, and Jean de Dieu Rafiki. 

Ends