Cycling coach unveils Tour du Rwanda teams

The National Cycling team coach Sterling Magnell has unveiled three teams that will represent Rwanda in the upcoming Tour du Rwanda that is slated for November 15-22. At the unveiling ceremony on Friday at the Africa Rising Cycling Center in Musanze, coach Magnell announced the team compositions of Akagera, Muhabura and Karisimbi. Akagera, which is captained by veteran Abraham Ruhumuriza, is comprised of the reigning national road race champion Joseph Biziyaremye, Joseph Areruya, Jean Claude Uwizeye and Jeremie Karegeya. Magnell described Akagera as the team with the strong men banded together. He said, “These are the riders with the firepower to win sprint finishes, as well as fight attrition for their leaders with a tempo that can endure from start to finish.” Captained by another veteran Nathan Byukusenge, Muhabura is the ‘wild card’, according to Magnell. Of the team that also consists of Camera Hakuzimana, debutant Ephrem Tuyishimire, Emile Bintunimana and Gasore Hategeka, Magnell said, “They are free from immediate pressure to lead the charge. This squad has the breathing room to wait in the wings ready for the window of opportunity that so often surprises us in bike racing.” The defending champions of the, Karisimbi are led by All Africa Games gold medalist Janvier Hadi, who will ride along with Patrick Byukusenge, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Jean Bosco Nsengimana and the reigning 2014 Tour du Rwanda winner, Valens Ndayisenga. “They are the front line, pedigree champions and title holders. Within Karisimbi lie the brightest minds and most formidable legs Rwanda has to offer,” Magnell noted. Areruya and Tuyishimire are the debutants for the Tour du Rwanda while Hategeka, Ruhumuriza and Nathan are the only three riders to compete in each Tour du Rwanda since it was included on the UCI Africa calendar in 2009. It was originally established in 1988. Team Rwanda Cycling teams: Muhabura –Ephrem Tuyishimire, Emile Bintunimana, Camera Hakuzimana, Gasore Hategeka, Nathan Byukusenge (captain) Akagera –Jean Claude Uwizeye, Jeremie Karegeya, Joseph Biziyaremye, Joseph Areruya, Abraham Ruhumuriza (captain) Karisimbi –Patrick Byukusenge, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Valens Ndayisenga, Janvier Hadi (captain).

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Cycling coach unveils Tour du Rwanda teams