Niyonshuti inspired me, says Ndayisenga

When renowned cyclist Adrien Niyonshuti finished 39th in the mountain bike competition at the London 2012 Olympics on August 12, Valens Ndayisenga received the news the following day as his coach John Rugamba recounted what he had seen on television. Ndayisenga did not have access to pay television, Supersport to watch Niyonshuti, a man he fondly looks up to as his hero and an inspiration to his budding cycling career. And Ndayisenga has every reason to follow in the footsteps of Niyonshuti who also hails from his hometown in Rwamagana. In 2011, Ndayisenga participated in a local competition, and won thanks to a bike given to him by Niyonshuti. “Adrien Niyonshuti gave me my first bike and since then he has been giving me the bikes that I use. It is not that Team Rwanda Cycling cannot give me a bike but receiving one from Niyonshuti means the world to me. He actually bought the bike I used to win this year’s Tour of Rwanda,” revealed Ndayisenga. Such has been the relationship between the two cyclists who have brought hope to a nation known for a dark history that saw over one million people killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Ndayisenga has since treasured a brotherly relationship with Niyonshuti who offers him life and cycling lessons just like many other young riders from Rwamagana and across the country. The 20-year-old Ndayisenga who has rewritten history as the first Rwandan to win the Tour du Rwanda since its inauguration on the International Cycling Union (UCI) calendar has achieved what many have failed to do for years. Niyonshuti won the prestigious event in 2008, a year before it started attracting international riders from across the world, including Eritrea, Morocco, South Africa and USA among others. Ndayisenga wants to be a professional rider just like Niyonshuti who features for Africa’s only pro team MTN Qhubeka of South Africa which he joined in 2009, becoming the first Rwandan to join professional ranks.

Sports

Niyonshuti inspired me, says Ndayisenga