Ndayisenga grabs Stage Two as Tour du Rwanda reaches Musanze

Team Rwanda Karisimbi’s Valens Ndayisenga yesterday won the second stage of the Tour du Rwanda from Rwamagana to Musanze (153km) in 4 hours, one minute and11 seconds. Eritrea’s Mekseb Debesay, who won stage one on Monday, came in second place while Joseph Biziyaremye from Team Rwanda Karisimbi took third place. Team Rwanda Karisimbi’s youngster Ndayisenga is congratulated by Sports minister Joseph Habineza after putting on the yellow jersey in Musanze yesterday. (Peter Kamasa) Ndayisenga’s win took him top in the General Classification after 3 rounds and that means he will wear the yellow jersey in stage 3 today as the cyclists race from Musanze to Muhanga (127km). The 20-year-old, who won the same stage last year, attributed the triumph to good preparation and experience. The riders set off for Musanze “Ever since the routes for this year’s Tour du Rwanda were released, I knew I had an edge over the other riders because I am familiar with the terrain. “I have rode on this particular route for many years and since it consists of hilly areas, flat roads and steep slopes, many riders find it difficult to maintain concentration,” a beaming Ndayisenga said. Team Rwanda Karisimbi is still leading in the team category followed by Ethiopia and Team Rwanda Akagera. Rwanda remains in pole position to produce a first ever Tour du Rwanda winner with three Team Rwanda Karisimbi cyclists Valens Ndayisenga, Jean Bosco Nsengimana and Joseph Biziyaremye occupying the first three positions after stage 2. Janvier Hadi who has dominated the last two rounds had a bad day finishing in the 22nd place in yesterday’s stage, something that saw him drop to 14th position in the General Classification. Cycling fans cheer on the riders Three riders have abandoned the race. They include Lahsaïni Mouhssine from Morocco, South Africa’s Rohan Du Plooy and Burundian Tharcisise Ndayisenga. Team Rwanda Karisimbi is still leading in the team category followed by Ethiopia and Team Rwanda Akagera. Stage Classification Valens Ndayisenga 04h01’11’’ Mekseb Debesay 04h02’29’’ 01’18’’ Joseph Biziyaremye 04h02’29’’ ‘’ Ghebreizgabhier Amanuel 04h02’29’’ ‘’ Yemane Bereket 04h02’29’’ ‘’ Jean-Bosco Nsengimana 04h02’29’’ ‘’ Patrick Byukusenge 04h02’29’’ ‘’ Emile Bintunimana 04h02’29’’ Abraham Ruhumuriza 04h02’29’’ General classification Valens Ndayisenga 06h32’14’’ Jean-Bosco Nsengimana 06h 33’13’’ 59’’ Joseph Biziyaremye 6h 33’17’’ 01’03’’ Debesay Mekseb 06h33’17’’ ‘’ Buru Temesgeneth 06h33’22’’ 01’08’’ Janvier Hadi 06h33’31’’ 01’17’’