Rwanda Cycling team will send six riders to the Tour de Cote d’Ivoire scheduled for September 27-October 2. Captained by Janvier Hadi, Joseph Biziyaremye, Patrick Byukusenge, Camera Hakuzimana, Joseph Aleluya and Jeremie Karegeya make up the strong combination of experienced and youthful riders who will lead the quest for top spot in the West African nation. Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) president Aimable Bayingana told Times Sport that, “We want to win. Our riders are on form right now and our target is to win.” The six-stage race has a total distance of 541km throughout the country with stage one starting in the north-central region of Ivory Coast Dabakala to Katiola, a total distance of 90km. Stage two is the shortest event that is 37km from Bouake to Sakassou in the same Vallee du Bandama district before they embark on stage three from Bouake to Daoukro, the longest stage that is 164km. Stage four is from M’bahiakro to Bouake (90km) before they embark on stage five the next day from Yamoussoukro to Bouafle (60km). The last stage is a circuit within Yamoussoukro and is a total distance of 100km. The national side will be coached by Felix Sempoma who guided Rwanda to historic success at the just concluded All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville. Hadi won gold in the men’s road race and was earlier part of a strong quartet along with Aleluya, Nsengimana and Valens Ndayisenga as they won bronze in the men’s team time trial.
