The Mountain bike Cross-country Olympic (XCO), the tournament raced on the tarmac road in the mountains for its second edition, will be hosted in Musanze District for the second time on Sunday, July 20.

Organized by Africa Rising Cycling Center (ARCC) and local cycling governing body (FERWACY) the tournament has so far attracted 35 athletes from professional cycling clubs registered under the federation.

"This is our second time hosting this mountain bike tournament. We are not only focusing on professional cyclists, but we also have around ten young riders currently being trained for the future,” said Ruben Habarurema, the Managing Director of ARCC.

The Virunga XCO series was inaugurated on March 30, 2025, with Musanze emerging as the ideal host city thanks to its rugged landscapes and cycling culture.

This year’s edition will further solidify the region’s status as Rwanda’s home of mountain biking, with organizers planning to hold the competition three times a year moving forward.

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The first edition reinforced the organizers’ ambition to build a permanent, world-class XCO MTB course in Musanze. The course is intended to serve as a year-round training and competition ground, supporting youth development and attracting regional and international races.

The design followed the Union Cycliste International (UCI) standards, featuring technical elements such as rock gardens, berms, short steep climbs, and descents — all ideal for preparing athletes for top-level competitions.

The Virunga XCO Series will feature three epic races per year, pushing riders to their limits in March, July, and December.