The bright African sun took a day off on the first stage of the 2024 Tour du Rwanda. But spectators paid no heed to the grey and menacing sky as they jumped over puddles to see their heroes line up for the 16th edition of the Tour du Rwanda. Fans turned out in mass for their love of the Tour and for the joy of the change they perceive. And although over the years it has become more and more challenging, it has not lost its colourful charm. The flagship event of African cycling promises to be as spectacular as ever and it will already have the colors of the 2025 UCI Road World Championship. Belgian rider Jonathan Vervenne became the first rider to take yellow jersey at Tour du Rwanda 2024 after powering his team Soudal Quick-Step to Team Time Trial (TTT) in the 18.3km first stage on Sunday, February 18. Vervenne still has seven stages to defend his yellow jersey starting Monday, February 19, when the peloton departs Muhanga town heading to the Holy Land in Kibeho, in a distance of 130 kilometres. Here is what you need to know about each Tour du Rwanda 2024 stage. Stage One: 18.3km The 16th edition of the Tour du Rwanda opened up with the Team Time Trial on the 2025 World Championships time trial route, 18.3 kilometers long, which will start from Kigali-BK Arena and will end at Kigali Convention Center. The first stage did not present any particular dangers apart from the last 2300 meters which lead to the finish line and which are on a slight slope. Stage Two: 129.4km The second stage will connect a very eventful route from Muhanga to Kibeho, covering a distance of 129.4 kilometers. The riders will have to face several ups and downs before the three climbs of Kiyonza, Maraba and Coko, located in the second half of the route and which could encourage some action. The last hilltop will be less than 10 kilometers from the end and we will see if the victory will be go to a small group of runners or by a few solo adventurers. Stage Three: 140.3km The third stage will start from Huye and will end in Rusizi. There will be 140.3 kilometers to tackle with various altitude difficulties: in the first 67 kilometers of the stage, the runners will have to tackle the Nyamagabe climb, followed by those of Kaganza, and then climb Gashwati, Nyungwe and Pindura. After having overcome the Pindura gap, they will descend to attack the Bumazi climb, 7.3 kilometers long with an average gradient of 5.1% and whose summit is located less than 14 kilometers from the end, with several runners who will be able to test the legs in view of the following stages. Stage Four: 93km The fourth stage is also dedicated to the Kings of Mountains. The route has only 93 kilometers from Karongi to Rubavu with five climbs to face, including the last, that of Rubavu, located less than 9 kilometers from the end. Stage Five: 13km On the fifth day, riders will face the 13 kilometer individual time trial from Muzanze to Kinigi. After the first 4500 meters of flat terrain, they will tackle 3.5 kilometers at an average 3% to reach the first time point. However, the efforts will not end there because the last 8.2 kilometers are continuously ascending until reaching the finish line located at the Kwita Izina venue. Stage Six: 93km Musanze will also host the start of the sixth stage which will end at Mont Kigali. In this fraction of 93 kilometres, riders will first take on the Kivuruga climb, then that of Gako Village from which they will descend to attack the final ascent of Mont Kigali. In total, it is 4.1 kilometers long at 6, 8% average gradient, but with a dirt section at 8% and the last 2 kilometers at 8.8%. Whoever wants to bring this race home must be ready for this very tough climb. Stage Seven: 158km There won’t be much breathing room even in the penultimate stage, which will start from Rukomo and take 158 kilometers to touch cross the finish line in Kayonza. In this very busy stage, as soon as you start, you will immediately climb the 3700 meters at the 6.1% average gradient of Gatsibo. There will subsequently be 100 kilometers of flat terrain with several ups and downs before the Kayonza climb, which will lead to the finish line after 3400 meters at 3.5% average. Stage Eight: 73.6km The grand finale will take place entirely in the Rwandan capital, partly retracing the route that will host next year’s UCI Road World Championship. For this last stage, 73.6 kilometers are planned with two laps on the Kigali circuit which also include a dirt section, to then face again Mont Kigali and the Mur de Kigali which will establish the victorious runner of this intense and non-trivial stage race.
