Rwanda’s highly rated cyclist Valens Ndayisenga will join his new Austria UCI continental team of Tirol Cycling Team towards the end of March, according to Team Rwanda head coach Sterling Magnell.

Last week, Tirol Cycling Team confirmed it had signed the 23-year-old star on a one year contract. Ndayisenga is currently with the national team (Team Rwanda) in a training camp in Musanze ahead of the forthcoming 2017 African Continental Road Championships, the first race on the UCI Africa Tour calendar that will be held in Luxor, Egypt from February 14-19.

The reigning Tour du Rwanda champion and former rider for South Africa’s Dimension Data for Qhubeka was released by his club towards the end of last year together with his compatriot Bonaventure Uwizeyimana. They were replaced by the duo of two rising stars Samuel Mugisha and Joseph Areruya.

Ndayisenga, a Tour du Rwanda record four-stage winner, claimed his second title in three years last year to become the first rider to win the UCI Africa Tour category 2.2 road race twice, however the achievement was not enough to see him join Dimension Data World Tour team.

Nonetheless, tactician Magnell in December revealed to Times Sport that several European cycling teams had expressed interest in signing him, noting that they were however weighing the best option for the star.

On Tuesday, in an interview with Times Sport, Magnell confirmed Ndayisenga’s deal with the new club, adding that he will join them in March after featuring for the national team in two crucial incoming international races.

"We have now accepted the offer. Valens will race in continental champs and Tour of Cameroon with the national team and then join Team Tirol for the rest of the season. Team Tirol plans to race in the tour of Rwanda in November,” said Magnell

Tour of Cameroon is slated for March 10-18, 2017.

Tirol Cycling Team owner Thomas Pupp also confirmed the news on his Facebook page where he stated that;

"Ndayisenga is one of the best and most hopeful African cyclists. We wish him well from March when he joins our Tirol Cycling Team and thus will provide a supportive bridge to the arc and the biking in Africa.”

Tirol cycling team was founded in 2008 with a base in Austria and was among the teams to debut at last year’s Tour of Rwanda before pulling out at the last minute.

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