Stage 5A. Ruhumuriza 4:46:26:53A. Niyonshuti 4:46:26:97N. Byukusenge 4:46:27:31 Tour de Rwanda defending champion Abraham Ruhumuriza breathed some life into his title defense yesterday after taking stage five, his first stage win of the race. The 29-year-old clocked 4:46:26:53, 44 micro seconds ahead of the winner of the first four stages Adrien Niyonshuti, who came second. Nathan Byukusenge finished third (4:46:27:31) while teenage sensational Godfrey Gahemba came fourth in 4:47:28. Despite finishing second yesterday, the national cycling team ‘Team Rwanda’ coach Jonathan Boyer has remained adamant about Niyonshuti’s huge chances of winning this year’s edition. Yesterday’s results mean that Niyonshuti still enjoys a one-minte lead over Gahemba who is second and undoubtedly enjoying the race of his life. Byukusenge is third, Ruvogera is fourth while Ruhumuriza is fifth, six minutes off the pace. Ahead of today’s stage six (Huye-Kigali) ; 155km, it is said that three riders have dropped out reducing the number to 32. Ends
