The third edition of Rwanda Cycling Cup begins today with the opening race, Kigali-Huye, dubbed ‘Memorial Lambert Byemayire’ that has attracted a total of 51 riders from six clubs. Kigali-Huye is a new segment that has been added on to this year’s edition.
Today
Memorial Lambert Byemayire
Men Elites and U23: Kigali (Gitikinyoni)-Huye+circuit (6 laps) 158km
Juniors: Muhanga-Huye+circuit (2 laps) 92km
Women: Muhanga-Huye 81km
The third edition of Rwanda Cycling Cup begins today with the opening race, Kigali-Huye, dubbed ‘Memorial Lambert Byemayire’ that has attracted a total of 51 riders from six clubs.
Kigali-Huye is a new segment that has been added on to this year’s edition.
The competition is organised in memory of the former Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) vice president Lambert Byemayire, who passed away in November shortly after the conclusion of 2016 Tour du Rwanda.
The race will include three categories namely; Men Elite and U123, juniors and women.
The Men Elite and U23 will peddle off from Gitikinyoni in Kigali to Huye before covering an additional 5.5km circuit that will comprise six laps around Huye town – covering a total distance of 158 kilometers.
The juniors will start from Muhanga to Huye where they will do two laps of the same circuit covering a total distance of 92 kilometers, while the women will cover 81 kilometers from Muhanga to Huye.
Men Elite & U23 category will comprise 31 riders while juniors’ category will have 15 riders and the women category five, all from Les Amis Sportif de Rwamagana.
Les Amis Sportifs de Rwamagana rider Jean Claude Uwizeye is one of the favourites this time round after his impressive performance in last year’s edition when he won the U23 title and finished second in the Men Elite despite missing out on two of the 10 races.
Speaking to Saturday Sport ahead of the race, the youngster said: "I am confident that I can win this year’s edition, I know all the techniques required to win the competition but we’ll have to take one race at a time. It is going to be tough but I’m optimistic.”
Club Benediction de Rubavu rider Gasore Hategeka won last year’s edition with a total of 152 points while Uwizeye came in second with 138 points.
However, he won the U23 category with 136 points beating teammate Rene Jean Paul Ukiniwabo, by only two points.
The teams that will compete in this year’s edition include Les Amis Sportif de Rwamagana, Club Benediction de Rubavu, Cine Elmay, Muhazi Cycling Generation, Fly Cycling Club, and Cycling Club for All.
Skol and Cogebanque are the official sponsors of the annual competition.
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