Nirere tipped for stardom after Race for Culture triumph

Elite Men: Top three1. Valens Ndayisenga (Tirol Cycling Team) – 4:35:592. Patrick Byukusenge (Benediction) – 4:35:593. Mathieu Twizerane (Cycling Club for All) – 4:35:59 Junior Men: Top three1. Yves Nkurunziza (Benediction) – 2:33:362. Eric Manizabayo (Benediction) – 2:33-363. Eric Muhoza (Les Amis Sportifs) – 2:37:05 Women: Top three1. Xaverine Nirere (Les Amis Sportifs) – 3:06:502. Beathe Ingabire (Les Amis Sportifs) – 3:10:373. Magnifique Manizabayo (Les Amis Sportifs) – 3:10:38 It was a family affair as the reigning Tour du Rwanda champion, Valens Ndayisenga and his sister Xaverine Nirere put up strong performances to win the Race for Culture in Nyanza District on Saturday afternoon. The 23-year-old Tirol Cycling Team rider raced the 167.8 kilometers in 4 hours, 35 minutes and 59 seconds to win the Elite Men’s category while his young sibling Nirere claimed the 86.5km women’s title in 2 hours, 33 minutes and 36 seconds. Valens Ndayisengas sister receives a cheque of Rwf50,000 after winning the Race for Culture in Women category. / Sam Ngendahimana Riders from different local clubs get some instructions before starting the race at Gatuna in Gicumbi. / Sam Ngendahimana The Elite Men’s race started from Gatuna in Gicumbi District, while their female counterparts and U18 boys started from Giticyinyoni. In a post-race interview with Times Sport, Ndayisenga said, “This is a very special moment for me and my sister. Winning our first race in Rwanda Cycling Cup on the same day just feels crazy. She is super talented, works really hard and I believe she is going make it to the top.” Nirere, 15, won comfortably after leading the final 25 kilometers unrivaled. She finished 4 minutes and 13 seconds ahead of the second-placed Beathe Ingabire. Magnifique Manizabayo (3:10:38) finished third. Elites riders arrive at Giticyinyoni where a crowd of cycling fans gathered to support them. / Sam Ngendahimana Elites riders seen here in peloton during 167.8 km race which started at Gatuna in Gicumbi and ended in Nyanza. / Sam Ngendahimana Nyabihu Cycling Club rider Jean Ruberwa won the race in U23 category seen here celebrates his victory. / Sam Ngendahimana Ruhango based rider Mathieu Twizerane salutes his fans in Ruhango. / Sam Ngendahimana The 23-year-old won the 167.8 kilometers race that started from Gatuna in Gicumbi to Nyanza District after clocking 4 hours, 25 minutes and 59 seconds. / Sam Ngendahimana The peloton ride near by Mulindi Tea Plantation in Gicumbi District heading to the finish in Nyanza District. / Sam Ngendahimana The Two-time Tour du Rwanda winner Valens Ndayisenga chats with Les Amis Sports porter to see how he can change the bicycle. / Sam Ngendahimana Valens Ndayisenga, the winner in elites category, congratulates her sister Xaverine Nirere, winner in women category. / Sam Ngendahimana Ndayisenga had to overcome stiff challenge from Patrick Byukusenge of Benediction Cycling Club, Mathieu Twizerane of Cycling Club for All, Jean Ruberwa (4th) of Nyabihu Cycling Club and Hassan Rukundo (5th) of Kigali Cycling team in a strong sprint finish. The five riders finished with the same time and anyone of them could have taken the crown but the day belonged to the more experienced Ndayisenga, who cut down a 5-minute gap to catch up with the leading peloton in the last 20 kilometers. Former Team Rwanda rider Joseph Biziyaremye leads the peloton in Kamonyi. Race for Culture was his third race after his accident in Tour du Rwanda 2016. / Sam Ngendahimana Riders cross Nyabarongo River bridge the Race for Culture attracts many riders in three categories, Women, Juniors and Elites. / Sam Ngendahimana Rwanda’s top female cyclist Jeanne d’Arc Girubuntu, who has been struggling with recurrent injuries since beginning of this year, pulled out of the race before the half-way mark. The 22-year-old abandoned the competition after racing around 40 of the 86.5km. Meanwhile, Yves Nkurunziza won the junior men’s race in 2 hours, 33 minutes and 36 seconds ahead of Eric Manizabayo and Eric Muhoza, who finished second and third respectively. Jean Ruberwa topped the Men’s U23 category. editorial@newtimes.co.rw