Debesay wins stage one, Nsengimana retains lead

Today: Stage two Kigali-Huye (120km) Stage 1 1. Debesay Mektseb Bike Aid – 2h50’ 14’’ 2. Teshome Hagos Meron Eritrea- 2h50’14’’ 3. Debretsion Aron Eritrea 2h50’14’’ 4. Joseph Biziyaremye 2h50’14’’ 5. Smith Willie SA 2h50’14’’ 6. Hida Abdallah Morocco 2h 50’14’’ 7. JB Nsengiyumva 2h 50’14’’ Other Rwandans: Joseph Areruya 2h50’18’’ Emile Bintunimana 2h 50’ 18’’ Valens Ndayisenga 2h50’18’’ Jean Claude Uwizeye 2h50’18’’ Bonaventure Uwizeyimana 2h50’18’’ Patrick Byukusenge 2h50’18’’ Hategeka Gasore 2h50’18’’ Jeremie Karegeye 2h50’18’’ Camera Hakuzimana 2h50’18’’ Nathan Byukusenge 2h50’18’’ Hadi Janvier 2h50’18’’ Ephrem Tuyishimire 2h50’18’’ General Classification Jean Bosco Nsengimana 2h54’06’’ Valens Ndayisenga 2h54’13’’ Joseph Biziyaremye 2h54’18’’ Debesay Metseb 2h54’18’’ Bescond Jeremy 2h54’19’’ Eritrean Mekseb Debesay, riding for Bike Aid team, won stage one of this year’s Tour du Rwanda from Nyagatare to Rwamagana, a distance of 199.9km after clocking 2h54’06’’. It is his third stage win after winning two stages last year - stage six (Huye-Kigali) and Kigali-Ngoma. Team Rwanda Karisimbi’s Jean Bosco Nsengimana finished 7th in 2h 50’14’’ to retain the Yellow Jersey following his win in the prologue on Sunday. Debesay said, “I am happy to win this stage. I am prepared to win the Tour,” he said before adding “In 2014, I suffered many setbacks and I was not able to compete well. This year, I hope everything will be different.” In the general classification, Nsengimana leads the race with a time of 2h54’06’’, defending champion Valens Ndayisenga is second with 2h54’13’’, followed by teammate Joseph Biziyaremye with 2h54’18’’ after 124.4 kilometers. “We have a long way to go but we have to fight until the end. It is going be tough but we have to fight to keep the yellow jersey. We are strong enough to win back to back Tour du Rwanda,” the 22-year old Nsengimana told Times Sport. Stage one winner Metseb is in fourth position with time of 2h54’18’’ while Frenchman Jeremy Bescond is in fifth position with 2h54’19’’. Eritrean rider Amanuel was named best climber, while Nsengimana retained the best Rwandan rider jersey, best African rider and best young rider. The race continues on Tuesday with the riders racing from Amahoro National Stadium to Huye District, covering a total distance of 120.3 kilometers.

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Debesay wins stage one, Nsengimana retains lead