The Tour du Rwanda has had an incredible rise over the recent years going forward and the 2023 edition promises to be the ultimate race with incredible scenes that cycling enthusiasts across the globe anticipate to witness either live or through the lenses of local and international media agencies.
From February 19-26, the peloton will take on what is arguably regarded as the top African road race of the year.
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Throughout the eight days, riders from 20 cycling teams across the world will take on an interesting mix of stages in the country that will host the 2025 World Championships, a race that every year grows its reputation.
It is also one of the largest non-World Tour races of the year featuring eight straight days of racing, most of them hilly.
Rwanda does not feature many flat roads and the race will see plenty opportunities for aggressive racing, where the classic specialists, punchers and climbers will all have several opportunities to succeed - all at high altitude.
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Times Sport takes you through each of the eight stages of the race.
Stage 1: Kigali Golf - Rwamagana, 115.6 kilometers
The opening stage will start at the Kigali Golf Course and will head towards Rwamagana. It is a short explosive stage with a five-lap final circuit. The final 1.5 kilometers feature a slight uphill gradient. However, this may be the most appealing stage for the sprinters.
Stage 2: Kigali - Gisagara, 132.9 kilometers
Stage two is also a short and explosive, with three categorized ascents in the first hour of racing essentially. Most of the day is gentler in terms of profile, however, a small hilltop of 1kilometre is a trap for those looking for a sprint, before a flat finish in Gisagara.
Stage 3: Huye - Musanze, 199.5 kilometers
The longest in Tour du Rwanda 2023, stage three could be the first important day for the overall classification. The first half of the day is gentler, but there will be four first category ascents in the final half. 7.1Km will split the field, and the hilltop finish in Musanze will feature 2.8 kilometers.
Stage 4: Musanze - Karongi, 138.5 kilometers
Stage four starts in Musanze with a long and slight ascent. It is a day that features longer but gentler ascents, a day in which it will all depend on the racing to decide which riders can fight for the win, in terrain where attacks can succeed more easily.
Stage 5: Rusizi - Rubavu, 195.5 kilometers
The fifth day of racing features a lot of small climbing throughout the day. 11.2Km at 4.9% and 21.2Km at 2.8% ascents will be the main points of attack surely, however a 1.7Km ascent very close to the finish in Rubavu can further provide terrain for decisive moves.
Stage 6: Rubavu - Gicumbi, 157 kilometers
Stage six will feature some more climbing, the hardest perhaps the first of the day.
There will be five climbs spread throughout the day, with more constant gradients and perhaps easier to control. A 6.6Km climb could spoil the fun for those looking to keep it under control towards the end and the summit finish at Gicumbi sees 5.4 kilometers and can see differences created towards the end.
Stage 7: Nyamata - Mont Kigali, 115.8 kilometers
The race returns to Kigali. It is a short day; however, the decisions are to happen towards the end.
The riders will climb the famous cobbled Mur de Kigali and continue to climb towards Mont Kigali, 2 kilometers in which decisive differences can be created for the General Classification.
Stage 8: Kigali - Kigali, 75.3 kilometers
The final day of racing is only 75 kilometers long and features climbing from start to finish.
It features three laps of a short circuit with 3.7Km and 0.5Km climbs in it, the latter is the Mur de Kigali which sees vicious gradients that can bring chaos in the final day of racing, and both ascents are cobbled.
The race will then end in Kigali with a 5.2-kilometer ascent which has 6.5% average gradient and cobbles in the middle, an appropriate finale for such a brutal race.