The Rwanda Cycling Federation (Ferwacy) is optimistic national teams will make profound improvements when they compete in the 2013 Tour du Rwanda slated for November, 17-24.Rwanda will field three national teams in this year’s event namely; Muhabura, Akagera andKarisimbi.The Ferwacy Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Murenzi told Times Sport yesterday that they expect Rwandan cyclists to make major improvements.“We are doing the needful in as far as preparing our cyclists is concerned. We have tried to offer the cyclists ample preparations. We have helped them compete in major continental competitions in bid to help them gain exposure and experience,” Murenzi noted. Murenzi is optimistic the cyclists will make a great improvement compared to past editions. He said the federation will continue to assist them in preparations such that they can finish among the best in the Tour du Rwanda this year.This year’s edition of Tour du Rwanda will attract 16 teams from different countries such as Novo Nordisk from USA, Team Sovac from Algeria, Team Avia Crabbe from Belgium and Rhone Alpes from France.Other teams will be drawn from South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Algeria, Gabon, RDC, UCI Continental Center and Team As Be Co of Eritrea. No Rwandan has ever won the competition since it became an international cycling tour in 2006, but Ferwacy is optimistic the poor show could change sooner rather than later.Last year the Team Rwanda Karisimbi and Team Rwanda Akagera finished fifth and sixth respectively while Team South Africa won the event.The Rwanda top rider Adrien Niyonshuti finished 9th in 894.8km race of the 2012 Tour du Rwanda cycling race as Lill Daren from Team South Africa won the tournament. This year’s edition has been sponsored by the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Rwanda Development Board, Skol, Cogebank, COGEAR, Inyange and Money Gram.
