This year’s ‘Tour of Rwanda cycling tournament will run from November 17 to 24, the organizers Rwanda Cycling Federation have confirmed.

According to the federation president, Aimable Bayingana, preparations for the UCI sanctioned race are already underway and promises this that year’s competition will be better than the previous editions.

"We have reached very far in preparing for this year’s Tour du Rwanda and we hope it will be better organized than the previous editions,” he told Sunday Sport recently.

The official says the competition will be more competitive owing to the fact that they expect participants from 16 countries including France, Belgium), USA and Canada) as well a host of African countries like South Africa, Eritrea, Morocco, Uganda and Kenya among others.

Last year, Adrien Niyonshuti was the only Rwandan in the top ten, he finished tenth in the 894.8km race that was dominated by South African riders and won by South African Lill Darren. No Rwandan has ever won it ever since it became an international tour in 2006.

Bayingana added, "There will be a different routing compared to previous editions, and cyclists will reach other rural districts that were not part of the last editions’ routings like Kirehe in the East Province and Nyamagabe in the Southern Province.” 

This year, the organizers have added another local team (Muhabura) to two usual Rwandan teams, which are; Kalisimbi and Akagera.

The sponsors for this year’s Tour du Rwanda will include; the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), COGEBANK, Inyange Industries and Skol beer.