Rwanda Cycling Federation (Ferwacy) has staked a whooping 17000 Euros (Rwf.13.2 million) for this year’s Tour de Rwanda winners.

According to the Ferwacy president, Aimable Bayingana, the prize money has been immensely increased because of the magnitude of the race which was recently incorporated into the International Cycling Union (ICU) calendar.

"This year, Tour de Rwanda is an international cycling competition so we shall have the winners walking away with lucrative packages,” Bayingana said.

The Ministry of Culture and Sport (Minispoc) has pledged to offer three quarters of the estimated budget (300,000 Euros).

On top of Minispoc’s package, the local cycling federation expects additional financial support from Rwanda Development Board under ORTPN, Electrogaz, CNLG, Ocir Café, Ocir Tea, Western Union and MTN Rwanda among others.

The 1069km tour will run from November 23-December 1 and is expected to attract teams from France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Greece, USA, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Morocco and Egypt among others.

The Tour will have eight stages. The longest stage will cover 163.5km while the shortest stage will go for 33.8km. Rwanda’s Adrien Niyonshuti who turned professional with MTN South Africa cycling club is the reigning champion.

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