Meet Uwayezu, Team Rwanda’s First and only female mechanic

Sandrine Uwayezu is 22 years old and has three sisters, obviously from a family of strong, independent women. Sandrine once was a cyclist and participated in a few local races, however, for women in Rwanda there is little prize money and only a handful of races. To turn professional would require more years, time, talent and many strategic breaks. Sandrine realized this, and with encouragement from her Team Fly Club President, she attended one of Africa Rising Cycling Center’s (ARCC) Level 1 Mechanic’s Training Courses. She was hooked! Her love of bicycles inspired her to find a career path in cycling. After passing the Level 1 course with high marks, taught by Team Rwanda’s Head Mechanic, Sean Belfast, Sandrine was invited to participate in a two month long apprenticeship at ARCC. “It was a dream come true!” Although she doesn’t ride as much as she used to she loves working on bicycles and likes the idea of fixing a bike, the smallest details. Her favorite work is repairing cassettes. Last November, during the 9th Tour of Rwanda, Uwayezu was a mechanic for the American cycling side – Team Illuminate. They inquired about the possibility of hiring a Rwandan mechanic and Sandrine was ready. Sandrine has worked herself into making history as the first women mechanic in a UCI 2.1 Africa Tour race. When Team Rwanda says it’s about more than the bike … this is exactly what we mean. TRC has given Sandrine a skill and with that skill she is now working in a field she is passionate about and making money for herself and her family. When Sandrine was asked about her future goals she said, “I am aiming to be a pro mechanic and to find a job in the cycling world especially in America!” More about Uwayezu, a conversation with Kimberly Questions by Kimberly Coats, Answers by Sandrine Uwayezu K: What is your name? S: Sandrine Uwayezu K: How old are you? S: 22 Years old K: How many brothers and sisters? S: 2 sisters, no brother K: Why did you first get into mechanics? S: Was Rider first, then also the love of the bike and its environment kept me going, and so the mechanic part was good enough to stay close to the bikes K: When did she first come to Africa Rising Cycling Center (ARCC)? S: The president of Team Fly from Kigali told me to attend a level 1 mechanic training at ARCC. K: How did the ARCC find you? S: After training level 1, I passed the exam with good marks and was called to come back by ARCC’s head mechanic Mr. Sean Belfast; it was a dream coming true. K: What do you like most about working on bikes? S: I like the idea of fixing a bike, even the smallest details; I enjoy more working on repairing cassettes. K: Do you ride? S: Not really these days, but I do take a bike out for testing every the other day K: How did you feel to be hired to work the Tour of Rwanda with Team Illuminate? S: Oh my God it was incredible and intense at the same time; I couldn’t tell if it was happiness or nervousness, but all in all it’s something I can never forget. K: What did you like most about working at a professional race? S: The organization, everybody knew what they had to do, made work easier that way. K: Did you have any fears working with the professional team at a big race? S: Yes of course, it was my first, I would be lying if I say I didn’t shake at the beginning but as days past I got into it well. K: What was your most important learning experience? S: My important experience was to know how to work on tubeless tires and electronic gears on Road Bikes. I learnt a lot but those are the striking ones The author is the Director of Marketing & Logistics at Team Africa Rising

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Meet Uwayezu, Team Rwanda’s First and only female mechanic