PHOTOS: Adrien Niyonshuti retains Individual Time Trial title

For the second time in a row, Adrien Niyonshuti proved why he is the fastest Rwandan rider after winning this year’s Individual Time Trial race that took place yesterday in Nyamata, Bugesera District.

Saturday, June 24, 2017
Adrien Niyonshuti during yesterday's Individual Time Trial race in Nyamata. / Sam Ngendahimana

SundayNational ChampionshipRoad Race: Ngoma-Kigali+circuit 9amJuniors: Ngoma-Kigali 99.5kmElite&U23: Ngoma-Kigali+ circuit (7 laps) 99.5km+ (12.5x7) =187kmWomen: Ngoma-Kigali: 99.5km

SaturdayIndividual Time Trial – NyamataJuniors: 12.5kmx2=25kmJean Eric Habimana (Fly) 35’:37”Yves Nkurunziza (Club Benediction) 36’:03”Eric Manizabayo (Club Benediction) 37’:07”Elites & U23: 20.9kmx2=41.8kmAdrien Niyonshuti (Dimension Data) 54’:32”Valens Ndayisenga (Tirol cycling team) 55’:17” Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Club Benediction) 55’:40”U23: 20.9kmx2=41.8kmEphrem Tuyishime (Les Amis Sportifs) 1h:00”36’’’Jean Claude Mfitumukiza (CCA) 1h:01”:12’’’Didier Munyaneza (Club Benediction) 1h:01”:13’’’Women: 12.5kmx2=25kmBeatha Ingabire (Les Amis Sportifs) 40’:52”Xaverine Nirere (Les Amis Sportifs) 41’:08”Jean d’Arc Girubuntu (Les Amis Sportifs) 43’:54”

For the second time in a row, Adrien Niyonshuti proved why he is the fastest Rwandan rider after winning this year’s Individual Time Trial race that took place yesterday in Nyamata, Bugesera District.

The 30-year star who rides for South Africa’s World Tour team Dimension Data beat a strong field of riders comprised of reigning Tour du Rwanda Champion Valens Ndayisenga who rides for Austria’s UCI continental team Tirol Cycling team, 2015 Tour du Rwanda champion Jean Bosco Nsengimana and 2016 U23 African continental championships road race gold medalist Jean Claude Uwizeye.

(L-R) Ephrem Tuyishime (Les Amis Sportifs)Adrien Niyonshuti, Beatha Ingabire (Les Amis Sportifs), Jean Eric Habimana (Fly) winners of Individual Time Trial.
CCA rider Camera Hakuzimana finished at the fifth position.
Dimension Data rider Adrien Niyonshuti celebrates his crucial victory in National Champion.
Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Tour du Rwanda 2015 winner, seen here in action.
Les Amis Sports female rider Beatha Ingabire in action , she won Individual Time Trial in Women category.
The winner in U23 category Ephrem Tuyishime (Les Amis Sportifs).
Valens Ndayisenga Tour du Rwanda Champion  who rides for Austria’s UCI continental team Tirol Cycling team became the second in elites category.
Ephrem Tuyishime (Les Amis Sportifs) wins the race in U23 Category.

Niyonshuti covered the 41 kilometer distance in 54 minutes and 32 seconds with Ndayisenga coming in the second place after using 55 minutes and 17 seconds while Nsengimana came fourth posting 55 minutes and 40 seconds.

"I was really prepared for this race and I knew this route but I have to say that I was lucky because I didn’t encounter any problem along the course, I am happy that I have defended my title and the focus now is tomorrow’s (Sunday) road race,” said Niyonshuti

In the U23 category, Ephrem Tuyshime from les Amis Sportif won the title after using slightly over 1 hour with Jean Claude Mfitumukiza from Cycling Club for All finishing in the second place with 1h:01”:12’’’ while Didier Munyaneza from Club Benediction came in the third-place clocking 1h:01”:13’’’.

Jean Eric Habimana from Fly cycling won the juniors category that covered 25 kilometers posting 35 minutes and 37 seconds while Beatha Ingabire from Les Amis Sportifs won the women category that covered the same distance as the Juniors using 40 minutes and 52 seconds.

Meawhile today, riders will battle in the road race that will start from Ngoma town in Eastern province heading to Kigali.

The Elite&U23 will cover a distance of 187 kilometers while juniors and women will race a total distance of 99.5 kilometers.

Bonaventure Uwizeyimana currently in Canada with Lowestrates.Ca as a guest rider is the reigning champion.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw