Team Rwanda has established itself as a top contender in any continental race only ten years after its formation, newly crowned Tour du Cameroun champion Bonaventure Uwizeyimana has said. The 25-year-old made the remarks Monday evening after touching base at Kigali International Airport where he was treated to a heroes’ welcome along with Team Rwanda colleagues. By winning the 15th edition of the annual 2.2 UCI Africa Tour race on Sunday, Uwizeyimana, also known as Bona, became the first Rwandan to win Tour du Cameroun. His compatriot Jean Paul Rene Ukiniwabo claimed the award reserved for the best youngster of the race, while Team Rwanda topped the team classification table. Under the guidance of coach Felix Sempoma, Team Rwanda entered the race with a total of seven stage wins in the same Tour since their 2010 debut. It was however initially difficult for the Rwandans as they had to wait until Stage 5 that one of their own, Uwizeyimana, won; the 121.5km Mbanga- Bafang stage. “Team Rwanda has gained a fear factor on the continent, each Team Rwanda rider is closely monitored in all of the competitions we participate in. During the first four stages in Tour du Cameroun, we struggled to make an impact because every other rider was targeting us,” a visibly jubilant Uwizeyimana told Times Sport. “Every time our rider tried a break away, he was immediately followed. However, Stage 5 was slightly hilly and we capitalised on that. Hadi (Janvier) and I made a breakaway early on in the stage, and then Hadi took control for nearly 105km before he told me to accelerate in the final 15km; that’s how we managed to take the stage, which certainly won us the race,” he disclosed. With his maiden stage win in Cameroon, Uwizeyimana opened a 3 minutes and 30 seconds lead to take the yellow jersey, the lead he would ultimately stretch to a record 3 minutes and 38 seconds on top to win the race. Editorial@newtimes.co.rw
