Rwanda Cycling Cup: Uwizeye wins Farmers' Circuit race

Les Amis Sportifs’ top sprinter Jean Claude Uwizeye defied odds as he put on a strong performance to claim the second race of this year’s Rwanda Cycling Cup dubbed ‘Farmers’ Circuit’ that started from Kigali and ended in Nyagatare, Eastern Province, on Saturday.

Sunday, May 07, 2017

Geoffrey Asiimwe

Saturday

Famers’ Circuit: Kigali-Nyagatare

Men Elite & U23

Jean Claude Uwizeye (Les Amis Sportifs) 3h:41’:46”Patrick Byukusenge (Club Benediction) 3h:41’:46”Camera Hakuzimana (Cycling Club for All) 3h:41’:46”

Juniors

Kayonza-NyagatareJimmy Mbarushimana (Club Benediction) 2h:17’:29”Eric Manizabayo (Club Benediction) 2h:17’:29”Jean Eric Habimana (Fly Club) 2h:17’:29”

Women

Kayonza-NyagatareJean d’Arc Girubuntu (Les Amis Sportifs) 2h:42’:31”Beatha Ingabire (Les Amis Sportifs) 2h:42’:31”Varerine Nirere (Les Amis Sportifs) 2h:42’:31”

Les Amis Sportifs’ top sprinter Jean Claude Uwizeye defied odds as he put on a strong performance to claim the second race of this year’s Rwanda Cycling Cup dubbed ‘Farmers’ Circuit’ that started from Kigali and ended in Nyagatare, Eastern Province, on Saturday.

Club Benediction’s 19-year old Didier Munyaneza (L) shares water with CCA' s Camera Hakuzimana after leading a two-man break away from Rwamagana

After recent dominance of Rubavu’s Club Benediction in the inaugural ‘Memorial Lambert Byemayire’ race (Kigali-Huye), which opened the season, it was expected that Western Province-based club that is comprise of a pack of very experienced riders, would steal the show again. 26th 3h:45’:15”.

Cycling fans at Kabuga appreciate Jean Bosco Nsengimana as he tries an attack, the winner of MEMORIAL LAMBERT race finishes in the 26th position

However, it was the 23-year old Rwamagana-born Uwizeye, who put on an excellent performance to claim the 152-kilometer race after posting 3 hours, 41 minutes and 46 seconds.

Cyclists of Farmers circuit were grouped in three categories, Elites, Junior and women category

Uwizeye, who is the reigning champion in the U23 category, crossed the finish line in a sprint photo finish with Club Benediction’s Patrick Byukusenge and Cycling Club for All (CCA) rider Camera Hakuzimana.

Elites riders peloton altogather ,seen here in Rugende heading to Nyagatare the 152-kilometer race named Farmers Circuit yesterday

The 2015 Tour du Rwanda champion, Jean Bosco Nsengimana of Club Benedication and winner of the first race on April, could only managed 26th finish after using 3 hours, 45 minutes and 15 seconds.

FERWACY Boss Bayigana addresses media during an interview after the race

Hakuzimana once again proved that he could be a top name in local cycling after leading a two-man break away from Rwamagana along with Club Benediction’s 19-year old Didier Munyaneza but they were caught by the chasing group of Uwizeye in Kabarole, about 43 kilometers to Ntagatare.

FERWACY President Aimable Bayingana and SKOL Boss hand a cheque of 60,000 RWF to the winner in U23 category Didier as fans look on

Hakuzimana did not finish the first race and was looking for redemption yesterday.

Huye based cyclists Camera Hakuzimana and Mathieu Twizerane from CCA did a break away from peloton

In the Juniors’’ category that started from Kayonza to Nyagatare, covering a distance of 88-kilomtres, it was a Club Benediction affair as Jimmy Mbarushimana and Eric Manizabayo finished first and second while Jean Eric Habimana of Fly Club, finished third.

Jean Claude Uwizeye leads five riders in five minutes before the finish, Les Amis sportifs sprinter managed to win Farmer Circuit from Kigali-Nyagatare

The trio reached the finish line in a sprint photo finish posting 2 hours, 17 minutes and 29 seconds.

Les Amis Sportifs de Rwamagana rider Jean Claude Uwizeye celebrates his victory in the second race of of the 2017 Rwanda Cycling Cup in, Nyagatare (All Photos by Sam Ngendahimana)

Meanwhile, Les Amis Sportif dominated the women category that started from Kayonza, with Jean d’Arc Girubuntu coming head of her teammates Beatha Ingabire and Varerine Nirere using 2 hours, 42 minutes and 31 minutes.

Rider Joseph Biziyaremye ( Left in Peloton) comes back after 6 months in the injury that he got in Tour du Rwanda 2016

Unlike the first race, dubbed ‘Memorial Lambert Byemayire’ that attracted 51 riders from seven clubs, the Farmer’s Circuit will attract a total of 78 riders from eight clubs following the addition of Karongi Vision Sports Centre that will enter five cyclists.

The Farmer’s Circuit has attracts a total of 78 riders from eight clubs

The Farmers circuit (Kigali- Nyagatare) was rolled in the rain that hepled Jean Claude Uwizeye to finish the 152-kilometer race after posting 3 hours, 41 minutes and 46 seconds

The winner in women category Jean d’Arc Girubuntu uses 2 hours, 42 minutes and 31 minutes to finish 88 km from Kayonza to Nyagatare

Team Rwanda rider Joseph Biziyaremye who got injury during last year Tour du Rwanda ,He came back to competition after almost 6 months

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