Ndayisenga favourite to win Race for Culture

TodayStarting timeJuniors & Women 9amElite Men & U23 9:30amThe Rwanda Cycling Cup continues on Saturday with the ‘Race for Culture’ which is the 6th race on this year’s calendar. Unlike the previous races, the absence of some of the top riders will present a good platform for the upcoming riders to showcase their talent.Today’s race will be without some of the top riders, including the winners of the last five races, who are currently competing in the Colorado Classic in the United States.In the absence of his main rivals, the two-time Tour du Rwanda champion Valens Ndayisenga, who currently rides for Austria’s Tirol Cycling Team, will be the man to beat as he bids to win his first race on the 2017 Rwanda Cycling Cup calendar.The 23-year-old will face competition from the likes of Jeremie Karegeya, Patrick Byukusenge and Eric Nduwayo.Race for Culture comes after the Memorial Lambert Byemayire, Farmers’ Circuit, Race to Remember, National Championships Individual Time Trial and National Championships Road Race.Jean Bosco Nsengimana won the Memorial Lambert Byemayire, Jean Claude Uwizeye clinched the Farmers’ Circuit, Adrien Niyonshuti claimed the National Championships Individual Time Trial, Gasore Hategeka took the Road Race while Race to Remember was won by Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, yet none of them will compete in today’s Race for Culture.A total of 34 riders will compete in the Elite Men and U23 category. Ten clubs are expected to enter for the one-day race, they include; Club Benediction de Rubavu, Fly Club, Karongi Vision Sports Center, Muhazi Cycling Generation, Cycling Club for All, Les Amis Sportifs and Kigali Cycling Club, Nyabihu Cycling Team and Tirol Cycling Team.The women’s category will have 12 riders doing a total distance of 86.5km from Gitikinyoni to Nyanza district, the same distance as the junior men’s.Elite Men & U23 riders will race from Gatuna in Gicumbi to Nyanza district, covering a distance of 167.8 kilometers.editorial@newtimes.co.rw