Ndayisenga edges closer to second Tour du Rwanda title

Stage 6: Top Ten1. Valens Ndayisenga- Dimension Data 02h20’38’’2. Eyob Metkel Dimension Data - 02h20’38’’3. Tesfom Okubamariam- Eritrea National Team 02h20’48’’ 4. Hailay Kibrom Giday- Ethiopia National Team 02h20’50’’5. Patrick Byukusenge- Club Benediction 02h20’53’’6. Temesgen Mebrahtu Buru- Ethiopia National Team 02h20’53’’7. Timothy Rugg- Team Lowestrates 02h20’59’’8. Jean Bosco Nsengimana- Stradalli - Bike Aid 02h20’59’’ 9. Dimitri Bussard- Meubles Descartes Prod 02h20’59’’10. Aman Werkilul Ghebreigzabhier Dimension Data 02h21’02’’ General Classification1. Valens Ndayisenga -Dimension Data 18h31’57’’2. Eyob Metkel - Dimension Data 18h32’39’’3. Tesfom Okubamariam - Eritrea National Team 18h33’30’’4. Jean Bosco Nsengimana – Stradalli-Bike Aid 18h33’44’’5. Joseph Areruya - Les Amis Sportifs 18h33’58”6. Patrick Byukusenge - Club Benediction 18h34’52’’7. Hailay Kibrom Giday- Ethiopia National Team 18h35’12”8. Amanu Ghebreigzabhier Werkilul - Dimension Data 18h35’46’’9. Temesgen Mebrahtu Buru - Ethiopia National team 18h35’49’’10. Dimitiri Bussard- Meubles Descartes Prodis 18h36’05” Rwanda’s Valens Ndayisenga has edged closer to doing what other riders have failed to do in the last seven editions of Tour du Rwanda, to win the UCI Africa Tour category 2.2 road race more than once. The Rwamagana-born cyclist, riding for South Africa’s Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, on Saturday took a huge step towards clinching his second Tour du Rwanda title after winning stage 5 from Musanze-Kigali to retain his yellow jersey ahead of today’s final stage. Today, riders will peddle around the City of Kigali, a distance of 108 kilometres. On difficult stage six, which was characterized by heavy rains from Musanze all the way to Kigali, Ndayisenga did just enough to prove that nothing can stop him from dethroning his compatriot Jean-Bosco Nsengimana. The 2014 champion escaped out of the lead group with 10 kilometers to go and never looked back as he crossed the finish line ahead of Eritrean and Dimension Data teammate Eyob Metkel, who remain in second place in the general classification. The duo touched the finish line with identical time of 2 hours, 20minutes and 38 seconds beating Tesfom Okubamariam of Eritrea national team into third place by 10 seconds. Ethiopia’s Hailay Giday came on 4th position in 2h20’50” while Benediction Club’s Patrick Byukusenge completed the top five after clocking 2h20’53. “I really wanted to win this stage or if not, at least reach the finish line not far from the winner but thankfully, I got my wish. Since I am not a good sprinter like Eyob, I decided to made a breakaway earlier to protect my time and position at the end, I thank God to have made it,” said Ndayisenga. He further disclosed that, “I have mastered all the riders, their weaknesses and strengths and I now feel 95% confident to win this year edition, but I still have to do all tomorrow (today) to win it.” By winning a second stage this week after stage two (Kigali-Karongi), Ndayisenga has increased the number of his stage victories the Tour of Rwanda to four. He equals the record held by the Eritrean Mekseb Debesay and the American Kiel Reijnen. Following today’s victory, Ndayisenga who wore the yellow jersey in stage two, will go into today’s final stage still holding a 24 seconds lead and with way he is racing, it’s hard to see anyone denying him this time round. Last year, the 22-year old withdrew from the race in stage 5 due to illness. Going to into the final stage, Ndayisenga has used a total of 18 hours, 31 minutes and 57 seconds followed by Metkel who has accumulated 18 hours 32 minutes and 39 seconds. Okubamariam comes in the third place with 18 hours, 33 minutes and 30 seconds while defending champion Nsengimana, riding for Germany-based Team Stradalli-Bike Aid, is in the fourth place with a 18 hours, 33 minutes and 44 seconds. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Ndayisenga edges closer to second Tour du Rwanda title