“It’s a fantastic atmosphere” Hellmann heaps praise on Tour du Rwanda spectators

Today Stage 4: Musanze – Karongi (135.8km) Tuesday Stage 3: Huye – Musanze 199.7km 1. Julian Hellmann (Team Embrace the World) 05h11’04” 2. David Lozano (Team Novo Nordisk) 05h11’12” 3. Calvin Beneke (South Africa) 05h11’12” 4. Jonas Doring (Team Descartes Romandie) 05h11’14” 5. Valens Ndayisenga (POC Cote de Lumiere) 05h’11’15” General Classification 1. Samuel Mugisha (Team Rwanda) 10h34’00” 2. Jean Claude Uwizeye (POC Cote de Lumiere) 10h34’21” 3. Mulu Hailemicheal (Ethiopia) 10h34’21” 4. David Lozano (Team Novo Nordisk) 10h35’55” 5. Jonas Doring (Team Descartes Romandie) 10h36’07” German rider Julian Hellmann is all praises for the masses of spectators on the roadsides and ‘fantastic atmosphere’ in the ongoing 10th Tour du Rwanda following his stage win yesterday. The 27-year old claimed the 199.7-kilometer Stage Three from Huye to Musanze on Tuesday, the longest stage in this year’s edition and the longest in Tour du Rwanda history since the race got affiliated to UCI Africa Tour in 2009. Hellmann used 5 hours, 11 minutes and 4 seconds to become the first German cyclist to win a stage in Tour du Rwanda. After Tuesday’s stunning stage victory, Hellmann could not hide his excitement on how the atmosphere along the roads is fantastic, revealing that it is the best he has experienced in his cycling career. “I race all over the world; in America, in Asia, in Europe … literally everywhere; but I have never seen people along the road as many as I am experiencing in Rwanda. It’s really fantastic and very encouraging, I thank the Rwandan people for the cheer and love they are showing us,” Hellmann told Times Sport in an exclusive interview yesterday. Hellmann beat first runner-up David Lozano, from USA’s Team Novo Nordisk, and South African Calvin Beneke who finished third – both by eight seconds. Jonas Doring of Team Descartes Romandie clocked 5 hours, 11 minutes and 14 seconds to finish fourth. After three stages, Team Rwanda’s Samuel Mugisha still tops the general classification with a total time of 10h34’00” followed by compatriot Jean Claude Uwizeye (10h34’21”) who is tied on the same time as Ethiopian Hailemicheal in third position. Nine riders have already dropped out of the race. Today’s Stage 4 will have a 70-rider startlist. Riders set off from Musanze town in Northern Province this morning heading to Karongi District in Western Province via Rutsiro District, a 135.8-kilometer ride – the second longest stage (after Stage 3) and one of the five new stage routes this year. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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“It’s a fantastic atmosphere” Hellmann heaps praise on Tour du Rwanda spectators