Homeboy Hadi takes Tour of Rwanda yellow Jersey

Team Rwanda and Karisimbi’s rising star Janvier Hadi won stage one of 2013 Tour of Rwanda on Sunday in Prologue from Amahoro-Kimironko-Amahoro (3.5km) after clocking 4’05’’.

Sunday, November 17, 2013
Janvier Hadi shows his delight after winning the Yellow Jersey in stage one of 2013 Tour of Rwanda. Right is the Sports ministryu2019s PS Edward Kalisa. Times Sport / T. Kisambira.

Team Rwanda and Karisimbi’s rising star Janvier Hadi won stage one of 2013 Tour of Rwanda on Sunday in Prologue from Amahoro-Kimironko-Amahoro (3.5km) after clocking 4’05’’.The 22-year old starts today’s stage two, Kigali-Kirehe (129.9km) wearing the Yellow Jersey. He received US$630 (around Rwf0.43m) for winning stage one and US$300 (about Rwf0.2m) for wining the Prologue.The 2013 Tour of Rwanda got off to an amazing stage with huge crowds turning up to cheer the 15 home riders representing three teams;  Karisimbi, Akagera and Muhabura.Hadi finished three seconds ahead of Frenchman Nicolas Lefrançois of Team Novo Nordisk Development to become the second Rwandan to win a stage in the Tour of Rwanda after Joseph Biziyaremeye in 2012.South African Louis Meintjes of Team MTN-Qhubeka came in third place.After the win Hadi said, "It’s my first major victory with the national team and I am really delighted about it. This win is a result of hard work in training with Jock Boyer (Team Rwanda head coach).”Team Akagera rider Valens Ndayisenga was the second Rwandan highest finisher in 15th position after he clocked 4’17’’25. The best team Green Jersey was won by MTN-Qhubeka of South Africa which features Rwandan Adrien Niyonshuti.Team Karisimbi’s Bonaventure Uwizeyimana finished in 20th position in a time of 4’20’’48, Team Akagera’s Hassan Rukundo came in 22nd position with a time of 4’21’29, while Team Karisimbi skipper Nathan Byukusenge finished in 24th after clocking 4’22’’79.Adrien Niyonshuti came in 35th position with the time of 4’24’’09 behind two other Rwandan riders Patrick Byukusenge (33) and Joseph Biziyaremye (34).Serious business starts today when the riders set off from Nyabugogo in Kigali to Kirehe District. They will cover 129.9 kilometres. On Tuesday, the riders will compete from Rwamagana to Musanze which has a distance of 151.5km.