Saturday
Top ten elite &U23
1. Patrick Byukusenge (Benediction) 3:32:36 2 Mathieu Twizerane (CCA) 3:33:03 3 Jean Ruberwa (Nyabihu) 3:33:28
4. Uwiduhaye (Benediction) 3:33:40 5. Didier Munyaneza (Benediction) 3:34:01 6. Moise Mugisha (Fly club) 3:34:01 7. Samuel Mugisha (DiData) 3:36:08 8. Seth Hakizimana (Les Amis Sportifs) 3:36:08 9. Gasore Hategeka (Nyabihu) 3:36:08 10. Fidel Dukuzumuremyi (Fly club) 3:38:39
Rwanda international and Benediction Cycling Club rider Patrick Byukusenge won Central Challenge race on Saturday to mark his first victory in this year’s Rwanda Cycling Cup.
Tour du Rwanda 2018 champion Samuel Mugisha was among riders in the elites category. / Sam Ngendahimana
Dimension Data' Samuel Mugisha leads Elites riders in Ngororero District. / Sam Ngendahimana
Hundreds of cycling supporters cheer on riders at Mukamira. / Sam Ngendahimana
The first break away of seven riders in 10 km of the race in Nyabihu. / Sam Ngendahimana
The 27-year old outpaced Mathieu Twizerane 5km from the finish to claim the 126km race from Musanze District via Ngororero to Muhanga District in 3 hours, 32 minutes and 36 seconds.
The Cycling Club for All (CCA) rider finished in second position, 27 seconds behind the winner. Jean Damascene Ruberwa (3:33:28) of Nyabihu Cycling Club completed the top three podium.
Byukusenge is the 2017 Rwanda Cycling Cup winner.
The winner of Karongi Challenge Moise Mugisha. / Sam Ngendahimana
Les Amins Sportifs' rider Janvier Rugamba in the peloton in 10 km from Musanze. / Sam Ngendahimana
Jean-Paul Uwiduhaye and Moise Mugisha during the race. / Sam Ngendahimana
Mugisha and Gasore Hategeka. / Sam Ngendahimana
The unbreakable break away of Mathieu Twizerane and Patric Byukusenge in Buringa. / Sam Ngendahimana
In the men’s junior category, Jean Eric Habimana dominated the 100km race in 2 hours, 51 minutes and 27 seconds, a whopping 8 minutes and 23 seconds ahead of his closest contender Emmanuel Iradukunda. Eric Muhoza (3:00:08) finished third.
Josiane Mukashema outsprinted Benediction Club teammates Olive Izerimana, Genevieve Mukundane, Diana Ingabire, and Jacqueline Tuyishimire in a photo finish to win the race in 3 hours, 36 minutes and 5 seconds.
The five riders all used the same time to cover the 100km distance from Mukamira to Muhanga.
The Central Challenge is the second-last on the 12-race Rwanda Cycling Cup calendar.
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