SA’s Thomson wins Stage One of Tour of Rwanda

South Africa’s Team MTN-Qhubeka rider Jay Robert Thomson won stage one of the 2013 Tour of Rwanda yesterday after clocking 3hrs 12 minutes and two seconds from Kigal to Kirehe (129.9km).

Monday, November 18, 2013
Jay Robert Thomson.

Stage one results1.     Th. J. Robert 3 hours 12 mins 2 secs          2.     E. Metkel3h12’’09’’’3.     M. Jes Louis 3h 12’ 11’’4.     J. Njoroge 3h 12’ 11’’8.     J. Hadi 3h 13’ 41’9.     A. Niyonshuti 3h 13’ 41’10.     J. Biziyaremye 3h 13’ 41’General Classification1.     Th. Jay Robert 3h 15’’2.     Meintn Jes Louis 3h16’17’’02’’’3.     G. Dylan 3h21’’15’’’4.     E. Metkel 3h16’’25’’’5.     J. Njoroge 3h16’’32’’’7.     J. Hadi 3h17’’46’’’20.     A. Niyonshuti 3h18’’05’’’Other Rwandans19.     J. Biziyaremye 3h18’’04’’’26.     P. Byukusenge 3h18’’32’’’28.     J. B. Nsengiyumva 3h18’’40’’’31.     N. Byukusenge 3h18’’18’’’ 5133.     V. Ndayisaba 3h19’54’’36.     H. Rukundo 3h19’58’’39.     E. Bintunimana 3h 20’04’’42.     A. Ruhumuriza 3h 21’4143.     H. Gasore 3h 21’04South Africa’s Team MTN-Qhubeka rider Jay Robert Thomson won stage one of the 2013 Tour of Rwanda yesterday after clocking 3hrs 12 minutes and two seconds from Kigal to Kirehe (129.9km). As a result, he took the Yellow Jersey from Team Rwanda and Karisimbi rider Janvier Hadi, who won Sunday’s Prologue. Hadi came in a distant eighth, behind yesterday’s stage winner by one minute and 31 seconds. Overall, he dropped to seventh spot.Thomson, the 2013 National Champion of South Africa, held the Leader Jersey and will wear it in today’s stage from Rwamagna to Musanze (151.5km). Thomson, a teammate of Rwanda’s Adrien Niyonshuti, also took the General Classification leadership for using a total of 3hrs 16 minutes and 15 seconds after two stages, while Hadi is in seventh position with 3hrs 12 minutes and two seconds.Hadi’s hope of retaining the Yellow Jersey was dealt a major blow when he had an accident in Ngoma District, at a time when he was in a leading group of about 13 riders. Although he managed to quickly get back on his bike, he had already lost ground and could only manage to finish in the eighth position.The 22-year old got the White Jersey for being the best Rwandan competitor. Eritrea’s Team AS Be Co rider Eyob Metkel wears Black Jersey as the best climber. The best team’s Green Jersey went to MTN-Qhubeka, which features Niyonshuti, who is in the 20th position with time of 3h 18’ 05’’.  The 26-year old finished in ninth position in the second stage in a time of 3h13’41’’. Team Rwanda’s Muhabura rider Patrick Byukusenge came in 26th in 3hrs 18 minutes and 32 seconds, Jean Bosco Nsengiyumva (Karisimbi) finished in 28th position after clocking 3h18’’40’’’, while Karisimbi captain Nathan Byukusenge came in 31st in a time of 3h18’’18’’’ 51. In 33rd position was Team Rwanda’s Akagera rider Valens Ndayisaba (3h19’54’’), while teammate his Hassan Rukundo came in 36th position after clocking 3h19’58’’.Akagera’s Emile Bintunimana came in 39th place (3h 20’04’’), Abraham Ruhumuriza of Karisimbi was in 42nd in 3h 21’41, while Akagera’s Hategeka Gasore was in 43rd position after clocking 3h 21’04.