Stage One classification
1. Ethan Vernon (Soudal Quick-Step) 2h45’:52’’
2. Emilien Jeanniere (TotalEnergies) 2h45’:52’’
3. Henok Mulubrhan (Green Project-Bardiani) 2h45’:52’’
4. Filippo Fiorelli (Green Project-Bardiani) 2h45’:52’’
5. Yoel Habtab (Eritrea) 2h45’:52’’
21. Moise Mugisha (Rwanda) 2h45’:52’’
British Ethan Vernon, who rides for Soudal Quick-Step, became the first rider to win a stage at Tour du Rwanda 2023 as he put up an incredible sprint to the finish line in Rwamagana.
The 22-year-old takes the yellow jersey after overcoming group 50 riders that were chasing him to claim the to clinch 115,6km Kigali Golf Resort & Villas-Rwamagana stage in 2 hours, 45 minutes and 52 seconds.
Vernon proved his worth when he pulled a surprise victory against the likes of Emilien Jeanniere who was part of TotalEnergies team that has been leading the peloton from the last 30 kilometres of the race.
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The latest stage win becomes his sixth UCI stage win in his cycling career.
Rwanda’s Moise Mugisha who rides for Team Rwanda managed to finish in 21st place trailing just microseconds behind the stage winner.
Other Rwandan riders who were beaten to the finish line by just microseconds include Mugisha’s teammate Vaincaire Msengesho (34th), bike Aid rider Eric Muhoza (41st) and Jean Nepo Bigirimana who rides for May Stars (49th).
The race resumes Monday with cyclists competing for stage two from Kigali to Gisagara, Southern Province, on a distance of 132.9 km.