It will be a no-show for some of the country’s elite riders in Karongi Challenge as the fourth Rwanda Cycling Cup resumes on Sunday with its 10th race on the 12-event calendar.
Star cyclists from Rubavu-based Benediction Club including Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Janvier Hadi and Bonaventure Uwizeyimana will miss the race, which covers 116km from Rubengera to Karongi District before doing a 20-lap circuit in Karongi Town.
According to Benediction coach, Felix Sempoma, Nsengimana and Uwizeyimana are still nursing injuries they sustained from a car accident during this year’s Grand Prix Chantal Biya in Cameroon last month while Hadi has recently lost his uncle.
He said: "The two injured riders are steadily recovering but they are not in good shape to start competitions yet. As for Hadi, the death of his uncle has enormously affected him.”
The four-rider roster will be led by the 2017 Rwanda Cycling Cup winner Patrick Byukusenge and Didier Munyaneza, 20, who is the reigning national champion.
When riders hit Karongi, elite and U23 riders in men’s category will do 20 laps in Karongi town to complete the 116-kilometre distance, junior riders will do 15 laps to complete their 91km ride while the female cyclists will race to a total 76 kilometres, including a 12-lap circuit in Karongi.
Eight teams will be represented in the one-day race including; Fly Cycling, Cycling Club For All, Muhazi Cycling Generation, Les Amis Sportif, Benediction Club, Karongi Vision Sports Center, Nyabihu Cycling Club and Kigali Cycling Club
After Sunday’s Karongi Challenge, this year’s Rwanda Cycling Cup will be remaining with two events; the Central Challenge that is set for November 10, from Kigali to Muhanga through Musanze, and season-ending Final Race in Kigali on December 15.
Start list (Elites & U23 Men)
Les Amis Sportifs: Janvier Rugamba, Eric Nkundabera, Eugene Gashiramanga and Sept Hakizimana
Fly Club:Pacifique Rugira, Fidele Dukuzumuremyi, Moise Mugisha and Emmanuel Hakizimana
Nyabihu Cycling Team: Jean Damascene Ruberwa, Gasore Hategeka, Eric Nduwayo, Eric Manizabayo and Alexis Nizeyimana.
Cycling Club for All:Mathieu Twizerane, Jean Claude Mfitumukiza, Leonard Mugisha and Samuel Hakiruwizeye.
Muhazi Cycling Generation: Jean Paul Niyigena, Baraka Kubwimana, Innocent Niyireba, Eric Ukwizagira, Joshua Tuyisingize and Radjab Ngiruwonsanga.
Benediction Club:Yves Nkurunziza, Patrick Byukusenge, Uwiduhaye and Didier Munyaneza.
Kigali Cycling Club: Frank Twizere
Karongi Vision Sport Center: Samuel Tuyisenge, Obed Nshimiyimana, Jean Claude Iranzi, Vincent Uwiringiyimana and Hassan Niyokwizera.
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