REIGNING Tour du Rwanda champion Valens Ndayisenga has received another invitation for a three-month training session at the World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland, between April-June 2015.
REIGNING Tour du Rwanda champion Valens Ndayisenga has received another invitation for a three-month training session at the World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland, between April-June 2015.
The 20-year-old trained at the high performance centre for the first time earlier this year during which he received high level training under the close eye of WCC head coach John Jacques – Henry.
According to Team Rwanda Cycling head coach Jonathan ‘Jock’ Boyer, Ndayisenga conquered his fear of going downhill which was one of his weaknesses and a return next year will help him get even better.
He said, "Valens Ndayisenga always had a problem descending and, in Switzerland, they have hills that are more winding and riders are faster and more technical. He is able to do this with big packs of people which helps to give him confidence and reduce his stress levels in races. When you are stressed, it takes a lot of energy out of you.”
Boyer admits that in the Tour du Rwanda last month, Ndayisenga was going downhill really fast, an improvement from his previous races during which it was always his major achilles’ heel.
The American coach, who is also the Rwanda Cycling Federation technical director, is confident that Ndayisenga’s return to Switzerland where he will be riding with the International Cycling Union (UCI) team, will help the youngster perfect descending downhill and also help him gain more exposure and experience.
The WCC attracts professional riders from Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, and top level coaching sessions could make Ndayisenga smarter and stronger.
"He will be able to teach other riders when he returns home because he is our ambassador when he is in Switzerland. This is very critical for us going forward as we continue to have more riders at the top level,” said Boyer in an exclusive interview with Saturday Sport.
Ndayisenga was recently voted 5th best cyclist of 2014 on the continent after he became the first Rwandan to win the Tour du Rwanda since it was listed on the UCI calendar in 2009.
Boyer added that, "Ndayisenga has three years of good base and, at 20 years, he still has about five years to hit his peak.”
"He has more years of growing and learning and with two or three races a week in Switzerland, he will get better.”
Ndayisenga will be expected to return in time for the National Cycling Championships in June where he will be eyeing his title defence having won it in June this year.