Tour du Gisagara cycling race to be held annually

Over 20 years 1. Jean Claude Munyamahoro 2h 30’ 02” 2. Mathieu Twizeyimana 2h 32’ 29” 3. J Pierre Ahorukomeye 2h 33’ 17” Following the success of the inaugural event, Gisagara District will make the tour du Gisagara cycling race an annual competition, according to the mayor Leandre Karekezi. The maiden race was organized by the Cycling Club for All (CCA) in collaboration with Gisagara District with the aim top select talented young riders to join the club (Cycling Club for All). “We will continue to have the event each year because we want to help the youth in our district to showcase their talents,” Karekezi said. The main race, 65km, was on Sunday was won by the 25-year old Jean Claude Munyamahoro after clocking 02h30’2” followed by Mathieu Twizeyimana who used 2h32’29’ while on third position was Jean Pierre Ahorukomeye in 2h33’14’. They received bicycles and cash prizes. In the U20 category, Bizimana Gasore, Emmanuel Iyamuremye, Valens Ntiganzwa, Zachalie Mfitumukiza, Al Bachir Dukuzumuremyi finished first, second, third, fourth and fifth respectively—they also received bicycles and cash prizes. For the 20km women’s race, Therese Uwizeyimana came on first position in a time of 1h07’2’ while Seraphine Muhawenimana was second and Josée Ingabire took third place. The top three walked away with cash prizes and bicycles. The one-day event attracted a total of 130 riders for both categories. The riders traversed the two districts of Gisagara and Huye. Meanwhile, the Rwanda Cycling Federation president, Aimable Bayingana said they are going to encourage other districts to also start organizing competition, which will help to raise the level of the sport in country. The minister of Sports and Culture, Joseph Habineza, who was the chief guest commended Huye and Gisagara Districts. He said, “This is good for our sports, we are happy to have this competition and other districts should learn from Huye and Gisagara to develop sports in country.”