German duo Daniel Gathof and Bart Classens were crowned champions of the 2023 Rwandan Epic that concluded in Rubavu District on Saturday, November 4. Gathof and Classens, who ride for Team Shift Up for Rwanda, showed their class as they again crossed the line first in Rubavu to claim the fifth and final stage of the race, confirming their dominance throughout the race. ALSO READ: Cycling: Belgians Claes, Schuermans win prologue as Rwandan Epic kicks off They won the race after covering a distance of 346.7km in 12 hours 38 minutes and 33 seconds. Kenya’s Bobby Joseph and Ndung'u Wa Keiya, who ride for Team 48 emerged second, clocking 13 hours 35 minutes and 42 seconds while Fly4Sport Racing Ota Zima and Miroslav Rybacek, finished third with 14hours 47 minutes and 24 seconds. Bart and Classens were already in positive mood to sip the champagne after claiming the final stage, which had 62km, after racing them in 2 hours 58 minutes and 13 seconds. They achieved the triumph after overcoming Twin Lakes Cycling Academy 2 team of Rwandans Jean De Dieu Manizabayo and Valens Iradukunda who used 3 hours 12 minutes and 08 seconds, while Team 48’s Bobby Joseph and Ndung'u Wa Keiya finished in third place. Didier Munyaneza was the best performing Rwandan rider in the race as he and teammate Florian Magdalenc emerged sixth in the duo category using 16 hours 12 minutes 36 seconds. The two play for Shift Up For Rwanda 2. ALSO READ: Rwandan Epic race returns, prologue due Tuesday In individual category, Belgian Olivier Kestelyn after clocking 13 hours 59 minutes 05 seconds in a distance of 346.7km. Rwandan Epic is an International Mountain Biking Competition, which is played in order to combine Sports and Tourism. The race had stages in prologue, Cross-country Marathon (XCM), and modern Olympic racing (XCO) styles from Kigali, Northern and Western Provinces. ALSO READ: Rwanda wins bid to host 2025 World Championships In the previous edition, the Belgian duo of Frans Claes and Jens Schuermans emerged victorious. Racers experienced the unique blend of adrenaline and serenity as they navigate through Rwanda's diverse landscapes. With more than 300km of trails at unimpressive altitude of up to 5,000m.
