EDITORIAL: Kudos to Rwandan cyclists on winning Tour du Rwanda

Congratulations to Team Rwanda for ensuring that the Tour du Rwanda trophy stayed in the country – for a second successive year – following Jean-Bosco Nsengimana’s well-earned triumph in the 2015 edition that climaxed on Sunday in Kigali. Besides the riders, who have yet again made their compatriots and country proud, commendation also goes to everyone who has been involved with this year’s Tour in one way or another, including trainers, officials, the staff, the fans who have been lining up the streets across the country to cheer the boys, the service providers, security personnel, among others. Team Rwanda did not only win the International Cycling Union-Africa category 2.2 tour for a second year running, but this time did it in style – dominating the race from start to finish. It is important to note that all Rwandan teams in the competition performed with distinction. Team Karisimbi, Team Akagera and Team Muhabura took first, second and fourth position in the team general classification, ahead of nine other participating teams, that included Africa’s powerhouses, Eritrea, South Africa and Morocco. In addition, four local riders finished in the top five in the general classification, a feat which should go a long way in building the foundation for the next generation of Rwanda’s cycling. The impressive rise of Rwanda’s cycling profile on the global map in recent years – a result of meticulous planning– is testament to what we can achieve as a nation in sports provided we have made the right decisions at the right time. While a lot remains to be done to make this country a force to reckon with in cycling globally, Rwandan riders have proved that they have all it takes to make their mark in the world of cycling – especially if their decent showing at the UCI World Championships over the last two years is anything to go by. Other local sports federations and players need to take their cue from the cycling federation, Ferwacy, and Rwandan bikers respectively.

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EDITORIAL: Kudos to Rwandan cyclists on winning Tour du Rwanda