PHOTOS: Areruya regains lead as Tour du Rwanda heads to Rwamagana

Dimension Data for Qhubeka rider Joseph Areruya regained the yellow jersey in the ongoing Tour du Rwanda as his teammate Eyob Mektel claimed the 121km Stage Four from Musanze-Nyamata on Thursday.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Peter Kamasa

Dimension Data for Qhubeka rider Joseph Areruya (L) has regained yellow jersey as his teammate Eyob Mektel (R) claims stage four on Thursday. / Sam Ngendahimana

Thursday

Stage 5: Nyamata-Rwamagana 93.1km+ 3 categorized climbs

Stage 41. Eyob Mektel (Dimension Data) 2h52’54”2. Joseph Areruya (Dimension Data) 2h52’54”3. Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Team Rwanda) 2h53’23”4. Suleiman Kangagi (Bike Aid) 2h 53’23”5. Patrick Byukusenge (Team Rwanda) 2h53’29”

General Classification1. Joseph Areruya (Dimension Data) 13h7’41”2. Eyob Mektel (Dimension Data) 13h8’19”3. Suleiman Kangangi (Bike Aid) 13h8’57”4. Simon Pellaud (Team Illuminate) 13h9’145. Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Team Rwanda) 13h9’25”6. Patrick Byukusenge (Team Rwanda) 13h10’21”7. Valens Ndayisenga (Tirol Cycling Team) 13h10’32”Dimension Data for Qhubeka rider Joseph Areruya regained the yellow jersey in the ongoing Tour du Rwanda as his teammate Eyob Mektel claimed the 121km Stage Four from Musanze-Nyamata on Thursday.

Rwandan Areruya, who won stage one (Kigali-Huye) and stage three (Rubavu-Musanze) has showed that he is in a very great physical condition and that he is still hoping to win 2017 edition.

Areruya the stage winner at this year’s Giro d’Italia U23 race was determined to retain yellow jersey. / Sam Ngendahimana

Dimension Data for Qhubeka rider Joseph Areruya (L) regained yellow jersey as his teammate Eyob Mektel (R) claimed stage four on Thursday. / Sam Ngendahimana

Areruya on the podium after regaining the yellow jersey courtesy of his outstanding performance on the Musanze-Nyamata stage.

Eritrean rider leads the peloton in Rulindo.

Swiss national Simon Pellaud who lost the yellow jersey to Areruya.

Eyob and Areruya crossed the finish line one minute and 23 seconds ahead of the chasing pack that included overnight yellow jersey holder Simon Pellaud of Team Illuminate.

Yesterday, Areruya, who regained time and the yellow jersey from Pellaud, said, "I know that the next stages are very difficult to win with a lot of climbs.”

Supporters used all ways possible to watch riders.

Team Rwanda riders with compatriots who ride for foreign teams captured here in small meeting on how they to take back the yellow jersey in Musanze.

Team Rwanda’s Patrick Byukusenge completed the top five 2 minutes and 15 seconds behind the stage winner.

The peloton in Gakenke before they began their descent to Bugesera through Kigali City

Tirol rider Vermeulen Moran asks for water during Stage 4.

"We are heading into the last three stages so it is time to work even harder and smarter, thankfully we are leading as Dimension Data for Qhubeka,” he noted.

Areruya leads the standings with 13 hours 7, minutes and 41 seconds. After winning stage four Eyob, jumped on second place in general classification with 13 hours 8, minutes and 19 seconds.

From Rurindo, a group of five riders leads the race in a crucial break away.

It was amazing view to see riders roll in the north.

Lowest Rates rider Edward Green in Cogebanque jersey (C) with his teammates, claimed best mountain climber of the stage.

Many cycling supporters cheer on riders during their break away as they reached at Kinamba in Kigali on the way to Bugesera.

Tour du Rwanda 2015 winner Jean Bosco Nsengimana with other riders in break away heading to Kirenge in Rulindo.

Overnight leader Pellaud dropped to fourth place, 1 minutes and 33 seconds behind the new leader and now it looks like Dimension Data for Qhubeka are on course to defend their title which they won last year through Valens Ndayisenga.

The two-time winner and reigning champion, now riding for Austria-based UCI Continental Tirol Cycling Team, is seventh in overall standing with 13h10’32” and his hopes of retaining the title are fading with every passing stage.

By the look of things, the battle for the yellow jersey will be between Areruya and Eyob. Kenyan rider Suleiman Kangagi, who rides for German Team Bike Aid, jumped to third place, 1 minute and 19 seconds behind the leader.

Rwamagana based rider Samuel Hakiruwizeye in Cogebanque jersey. He had earlier emerged best climber during Stage 1.

Rwanda Defense Forces captured in Gakenke District cheer on riders.

Some local journalists who cover Tour du Rwanda 2017.

Stage 4 winner Eritrean Eyob Metkel and his teammate Main Kent in action climbing Kirenge mount in Rulindo.

Tour du Rwanda 2017 has attracted 15 teams from all over the world.

The 2015 Tour du Rwanda winner Jean Bosco Nsengimana, having claimed the third place in stage four on Thursday, moved up to fifth in general classification, 2 minutes 40 seconds behind Areruya, while Team Rwanda’s Patrick Byukusenge sixth.

In the fifth stage on Friday, riders will peddle from Nyamata to Rwamagana, covering a distance of 93.1km+ 3 categorized climbs.

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