Stages

Feb. 23: Stage 1: Kigali – Rwamagana – Kigali (114.4 km)

Feb. 24: Stage 2: Kigali – Huye (120,5km)

Feb. 25: Stage 3: Huye – Rusizi (142km)

Feb 26: Stage 4: Rusizi – Rubavu (206.3km)

Feb. 27: Stage 5: Rubavu – Musanze (84.7km)

Feb. 28: Stage 6: Musanze – Muhanga (127.3 km)

Feb. 29: Stage 7: Kigali – Individual Time Trial (4.5km)

March 1: Stage 8: Kigali – Kigali (89.3km)

Team Rwanda Coach Stelling Magnell has unveiled the five riders that will make up the national team for the Tour du Rwanda race that starts on Sunday, February 23.

The 2020 Tour du Rwanda will have eight stages and one prologue it will cover a distance of 889km.

Three riders that were named to the national team are former champions and they are; Jean Bosco Nsengimana (2015), Joseph Areruya (2017) and Captain Samuel Mugisha (2018).

The others are Bernabe Gahemba and Jean Claude Uwizeye.

Magnell believes he has named a strong squad which is capable of winning the overall team category, individual awards and the coveted yellow jersey.

"We are going to work hard on the final touches in the remaining few days to ensure the team wins awards in all categories

"Our riders have taken part in several elite competitions on the continent, some of which they have excelled at and we are confident that they are in very good shape. They know the routes better which will work as a plus,” Magnell said.

The routes for this year’s race have long climbs on almost all the stages, including 4,279 metres in Stage 4 that will depart Rusizi to Rubavu on a gruesome 206.3km distance – the longest stage of the eight-day competition.

Sixteen teams will take part in the tour with a good representation from major cycling nations on the African continent and a number of globally experienced teams.

2020 marks the second time Tour du Rwanda will be held under the 2.1 UCI category since its upgrade from 2.2 last year, but it will be the 12th edition since turning international in 2009.