Team Rwanda, comprising of three riders, left for South Africa on Monday to take part in the 2013 Mt. Bike race scheduled to run from March 17 -24.The International Cycling Tour race will cover a total of 698 km in 9 stages. The contingent includes Nathan Byukusenge, Jean de Dieu "Rafiki”  Uwimana and Hassan Rukundo.Rwanda Cycling Federation entered the riders for the competition as a way of introducing them to Mountain Bike racing since they are used to road racing.Only South Africa-based Adrien Niyonshuti, who participated in the 2012 London Olympic Games (Mt. Bike), has enough experience in this format of racing. However, he will not be on the team after being ruled out of action for the rest of the season with a blood clot.The event will attract 1200 riders, with 100 from Europe, Last year’s winners were South Africa’s Christophe Sauser and Burry Stander.