Bayingana challenges EAC countries to invest in cycling

Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) president Aimable Bayingana has urged other East African nations to build a strong cycling culture for the region to become a cycling powerhouse on the continent. Bayingana said this at the conclusion of a 2-week elite junior cycling clinic at Musanze-based Africa Rising Cycling Center. “Rwanda, in only eight short years, has developed strong cycling programmes at all levels, from junior to elite. We hope Rwanda can serve as a model for other regional nations to develop similar programmes to help raise the level of cycling across East Africa,” He said. “With stronger federations and cyclists throughout the region, we can host more races and develop more cyclists, thereby securing our goal to have Rwandans and other East Africans represented in European pelotons.” Bayingana added. Hosted by Team Rwanda Cycling, the two-week long camp, which ran from December 4 to 18 in Musanze District, consisted of 10 Rwandan juniors, two Kenyans, a Congolese and one Ugandan. Ferwacy and the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) sponsored the camp. At the camp, Simon Hupperetz also trained coaches Straton Nzabazumutima of Rwanda and Spraya Mwana-Bwato from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Team Rwanda mechanic Jamie Bissell trained Kenya’s mechanic Nixon Sewe, who also learned how to build one of the Presidential Pinarello Bolide time trial bicycles, equipped with a Campagnolo Super Record EPS grouppo. Team Rwanda coach Hupperetz praised the progress made during the two weeks with the young cyclists. “The juniors were all very motivated, we did not only train on the road, we also spent many hours learning basic bike handling skills as well as discussing race tactics.” Along with the junior cyclists, Team Rwanda also had many of the elite team riders at the camp during the two weeks, including Rwanda’s only professional cyclist Adrien Niyonshuti, who gave a motivational talk to the young men and women encouraging them to give 100% to the programme and their future in the sport. Meanwhile the Sports ministry and the National Cycling Federation (FERWACY) confirmed at the end of the training camp that two best juniors will represent the country at the 2016 Continental Championships in Morocco. During the camp, four exceptional juniors were identified as potential candidates for these two slots. This will be the first time for Rwanda to send two juniors to the continental championships. The four identified high flying youngsters are Ally Dukuzumuremyi and Jean Marie Kwitonda, from Fly Cycling Club, and Rene Ukiniwabo and Janvier Rugamba of Amis Sportifs Cycling Club. editorial@newtimes.co.rw