Seasoned Stradalli Bike Aid rider Richard Laizer believes that given the home advantage, Rwandan cyclists hold an early edge over their rivals in the bid to win the 2016 Tour du Rwanda. The Tanzanian cyclist will be racing in the tour the sixth time when this year’s gets underway today with a 3.3km prologue around at Amahoro National Stadium. In an exclusive interview with Sunday Sport, Laizer explained that the reason why Rwandan riders like his Bike Aid teammate and defending champion Jean Bosco Nsengimana stand a better chance of retaining the jersey, is because this is home a race. “Having trained on the same routes, everything is in order for Rwandans to win. Tactically and strategically, being one rider in bunch of 15 opponents is hard to race against,” said Laizer. “Rwandan riders don’t win many races away from home but they’re very strong at home and you have to be tip them to win Tour du Rwanda.” The Bike Aid rider also pointed at the 2014 winner, Valens Ndayisenga, who will race for South Africa-based UCI Continental Team Dimension Data, as another one with a genuine chance to win the eight-day, seven-stage race. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
