Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) has sounded an early warning bell that the 8th edition of Tour du Rwanda will be tougher for the national team. The federation president, Aimable Bayingana made the remarks after announcing the 2016 dates for the international event.

"It will be tougher especially for Team Rwanda. Two of our top cyclists Nsengimana and Janvier Hadi will be riding for Bike Aid. We have to start preparing their replacements, and also groom upcoming talents; I am convinced our riders will do well even without the sensational duo,” Bayingana said on Friday.

The federation has set November 13 to 20 as the new dates for the 2016 edition of Tour du Rwanda.

Team Rwanda cycling will start the 2016 season by competing in La Tropicale Amissa Bongo scheduled for January 18-24 in Gabon before racing in the African Championships set for February 21-26 in Morocco and then Tour of Algeria in March.

Bayingana also revealed that the 2016 edition of Tour du Rwanda has been extended to Rusizi district, and cycling supporters in that region will have a chance to witness the country’s biggest sports event.

Team Rwanda skipper Hadi (road racing) finished the 2015 season ranked 9th in Africa to book ticket for this year’s Olympic Games slated for August 6-21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Gasore Hategeka had also earlier qualified for the quadrennial prestigious event in mountain racing category. The 2015 edition of the UCI 2.2 race category Tour du Rwanda held from November 15-22 was won by Rwandan Jean Bosco Nsengimana. In the 2016 race, 22-year-old Nsengimana will be riding for Germany’s Bike Aid, a professional club which is part of the UCI continental tour.

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