Barely four days after joining the team’s training camp, star cyclist Joseph Areruya has officially started racing for his new French side – Delko Marseille Provence KTM.

The 22-year old Rwanda international is part of a six-man contingent representing the UCI Professional Continental team at the ongoing 28th Rhône-Alpes Isère Tour in France. The 4-day race started on Thursday afternoon and will run through May 6.

This year’s edition of the annual Rhône-Alpes Isère Tour has attracted a total 128 cyclists representing 22 different cycling teams.

In Stage 1, Areruya finished in the 105th out of 125 riders who managed to cross the finish-line. Danish cyclist Niklas Larsen claimed the stage to take the yellow jersey after clocking 3 hours, 30 minutes and 3 seconds to cover the 143.3-kilometre distance. Belgian Jerome Baugnies (3:30:05) and Austrian Markus Eibegger (3:30:07) finished second and third respectively.

Only two African riders, Areruya and South Africa’s Brendon Davids are taking part in the 2.2 UCI category race.

Rhône-Alpes Isère Tour (formerly Tour Nord-Isère) is a road bicycle race held annually in the French Department of Rhône-Alpes. The editions 1991–2004 were reserved to amateurs; and since 2005, it has been organized as a 2.2 UCI event on the UCI Europe Tour.