Rwanda’s most decorated cyclist, Valens Ndayisenga believes 2017 will be his most successful year as he embarks on a new chapter with his new club, Tirol Cycling team of Austria.

On Monday evening, the former South Africa’s Dimension Data for Qhubeka rider left the country aboard Brussels airlines to join the new European club he signed for in January.

Speaking to Times Sport on Monday shortly before leaving, the 23-year-old star revealed that he is excited and eagerly awaiting to start his new journey with Tirol Cycling which he predicted could open doors to another year of milestones.

"I feel ready and enthusiastic to link up with my new team mates and race in my new club’s jersey, this year I believe I can surpass last year’s achievements and I feel ready to work harder,” said Ndayisenga

The Rwamagana district born rider delayed his travel to Austria to first represent the country in this year’s African Continental Championships that took place in Luxor, Egypt where Rwanda won the first ever medal (bronze) in the Team Time Trial (TTT) and the Tour of Cameroon where Team Rwanda finished third with Ndayisenga scooping the best young rider’s award.

"My dream is to go beyond this level, and compete in three major European professional cycling races including Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España and I want to sacrifice whatever I have to achieve that,” he added

The reigning Tour du Rwanda champion 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.

His new club Tirol cycling team is a UCI Continental team that was founded in 2008 with a base in Austria and was among the teams that debuted at last year’s Tour du Rwanda before pulling out at the last minute.

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