2019 Tour du Rwanda (2.1)

February 24-March 3

Effective 2019, Tour du Rwanda will be upgraded from 2.2 to 2.1 category of the International Cycling Union (UCI) Africa Tour, becoming the first race on the continent to get upgraded.

It will be the second event on the UCI Africa Tour calendar after Gabon’s La Tropicale Amissa Bongo which is currently the only African cycling race with a 2.1 UCI badge.

With just less than two months left for this year’s 10th and its final 2.2 edition to get underway, Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) has confirmed that the highly awaited 2019 Tour du Rwanda will be staged from February 24 to March 3.

This year’s Tour du Rwanda is scheduled for August 5-12, three months earlier compared to the previous editions’ calendar, which normally used to be held in November.

According to Ferwacy, the change was made in order allow ample preparation time and transition ahead of next year’s edition.

"We confirmed the event dates after thorough discussions with all relevant parties, including partners and we are convinced it will be a massive success. There will also be a 30% budget increment effective next year,” Ferwacy president, Aimable Bayingana, revealed to Saturday Sport in an exclusive interview on Friday.

According to UCI regulations, for a road race to be considered a 2.1 race category, it has to attract UCI World Tour Teams and UCI professional continental teams, as well as UCI continental and national teams and be broadcasted live on TV among others.

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