Israel Premier Tech star rider Peter Joseph Blackmore said he felt beyond excited following his Tour du Rwanda 2024 glory on Sunday, February 25.
Israel Premier Tech star rider Peter Joseph Blackmore performed the wheelie bike celebration as he rode his way to the Kigali Convention Centre to win Sunday’s Stage Eight on a solo sprint, hence becoming the overall winner of the race.
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"It means a lot. It’s wonderful to win such a race with my club Israel Premier Tech. So this win is amazing. The stage played out pretty much as I thought it would,” Blackmore after winning the race.
Blackmore was never sure he would win his first race in Rwanda, and the first for his team Israel Premier Tech, until Sunday final stage win when he launched a blistering attack in the final kilometers before taking a solo sprint to KCC to win the stage which incorporated parts of the route that will be used in next year’s UCI Road World Championships.
The youngster, who turned 21 on Friday, February 23, rode beyond his age in the final kilometer, most notably when he calmly responded to an acceleration before timing his sprint to perfection.
"I expected it to go full gas on the last mountain, and I was willing to push there myself. I had to follow a few attacks coming into the finish, which made it interesting, came to the finish line. I produced a good display to finish, so I’m happy,” he said.
The stage decided his fate as it earned him the victory as the champion, an achievement that he fully attributed to his teammates who pushed him till he crossed the finish line.
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"The last climb, though, was too much but I am really happy and proud with my physical condition. This is a good result – it is a very perfect day for the team.”
"I tried to conserve myself as much as possible until the last climb when I could see some guys were dropping. The team did a great job during the whole stage," the English man further said.
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Blackmore prevailed in the Tour du Rwanda 2024, clocking 17 hours, 18 minutes, and 46 seconds after eight stages that covered 718.9 kilometres, making it the shortest one since 2009, and he also bagged €3,500.
Dostiyev came in second place overall, 41 seconds off leader Blackmore, and received €2,000, whereas Jhonatan Restrepo finished third, 43 seconds behind the race winner, and also received €1,500.
Eric Manizabayo scooped the Best Rwandan Rider award, following his 15th-place finish overall, five minutes and 13 seconds behind the leader, while receiving €600.
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Bike Aid’s Dawit Yemane was rewarded with the Best African Rider after finishing 10th overall, three minutes behind the leader, and pocketed a €600 cash prize. Pierre Latour of TotalEnergies was named the Best Climber and bagged €600, while Eritrea chalked up the Best Team award and took home €1,000.