Tour du Rwanda (Today) Muhanga - Rubavu (138,8km) Team Rwanda cycling Coach Jonathan Boyer has urged his riders to continue their fine form and help Valens Ndayisenga hold on the coveted yellow jersey that he will be wearing in today's stage four race from Muhanga to Rubavu.
Tour du Rwanda (Today)
Muhanga - Rubavu (138,8km)
-Ndayisenga’s crash relegates him to eighth place in stage 3 but still retains yellow jersey-Team Rwanda Karisimbi riders Jean Bosco Nsengimana and Joseph Biziyaremye are second and third in General rankings-Team Rwanda Karisimbi leads in overall team rankings category- First time Team Rwanda cyclists have held onto yellow stage after four rounds of Tour du RwandaTeam Rwanda cycling Coach Jonathan Boyer has urged his riders to continue their fine form and help Valens Ndayisenga hold on the coveted yellow jersey that he will be wearing in today’s stage four race from Muhanga to Rubavu.
Ndayisenga crashed a few meters to the finish line in yesterday’s stage three race that was won by Eritrea’s Haile Dawit but the Team Karisimbi rider still leads in the General Classification and is followed by teammates Jean Bosco Nsengimana and Joseph Biziyaremye.
Boyer says his riders will now bank on their individual brilliance and team work to see off competition during today’s 138km stage four race from Muhanga to Rubavu.
"We are going to use other riders to protect Ndayisenga, which will give us the chance of retaining the yellow jersey until the last stage, it is very hard because other teams will use similar tactics but we will keep on fighting,” Boyer said.
History
This is the first time that Team Rwanda cyclists have held onto the yellow jersey for four consecutive days since the race became an international competition after being listed on the International Cycling Union calendar five years ago.
Ndayisenga, who is one minute and 3 seconds ahead of Eritrea’s Debesay Mekseb in the General Classification, will hope that he does not suffer any slip-up on the hilly Muhanga-Rubavu route that also has some steep slopes around Ngororero.
Veteran rider Nathan Byukusenge, who hails from Rubavu and rides for Team Akagera, is one of the people that are keen on helping Ndayisenga grab a podium finish and continue his lead.
"We will start to ride fast from Sashwara. There are sharp corners and most riders who don’t know the route will slow down a bit which will be an advantage for us,” the 34-year-old said.
Team Rwanda Karisimbi still leads in the Team category, followed by Eritrea, team Rwanda Akagera and Team Ethiopia.