Team Rwanda Karisimbi’s Hadi Janvier yesterday retained the yellow jersey despite finishing 27th in the second stage of the Tour du Rwanda.

The 23-year-old who won Sunday’s prologue race leads the pack after stage one and begins today’s stage two from Rwamagana to Musanze (151km) donning the yellow jersey.

Unlike the prologue which was dominated by Rwandans, Eritreans took charge of stage onewith Mekseb Debesay winning the gruelling 96km after using 2 hours, 26 minutes and 37 micro seconds.

Eritrea’s Aron Debretsion came in second place after clocking 2 hours 26 minutes and 37 seconds. His teammates Elyas Afewerki, Haile Dawit and Temesgen Buru finished in 3rd, 4th and 5th positions respectively.

Team Rwanda Karisimbi’s Bonaventure Uwizeyimana finished in sixth place while Team Akagera’s Emile Bintunimana came in 13th place.

It is the first time since Tour du Rwanda became an international race that Rwandans are dominating the first five positions after two rounds.

Janvier Hadi leads the General Classification with a total time of 2 hours, 30 minutes and 41 seconds and is closely followed by Valens Ndayisenga who is two seconds behind him. Jean Bosco Nsengimana is in third while Bonaventure Uwizeyimana and Joseph Biziyaremye are fourth and fifth, respectively. All the five riders are from Team Rwanda Karisimbi.

Eritrea’s Aron Debretsion won the best mountain climbing category while Jean Bosco Nsengimana won the best young rider slot.

Tour du Rwanda continues this morning with stage two from Rwamagana to Musanze (151km). Fourteen teams are taking part in the competition. Each team comprises of 5 riders. Ten countries are participating in the Tour.

************

General Classification

1.       Janvier Hadi 2h 30’ 41’’2.       Valens Ndayisenga 2h 30’43’’3.       Jean Bosco Nsengimana 2h 30’ 44’’4.       Bonaventure Uwizeyimana 2h 30’ 44’’5.       Joseph Biziyaremye 2h 30’ 48’’

Stage 2 (Kigali-Ngoma) 96.4km

1.       Mekseb Debesay 2h26’37’’2.       Aron Debretsion 2h 26’37’’3.       Elyas Afewerki 2h 26’ 37’’4.       Haile Dawit 2h 26’ 37’’5.       Temesgen Buru 2h 26’ 37’’27.     Hadi Janvier 2h 26’ 37