The national cycling team’s Samuel Mugisha and Renus Byiza Uhiriwe have reached in Yorkshire, England, where they will link up with another Europe-based duo to represent Rwanda at the 92nd UCI Road World Championships. This year’s world championships started Sunday and will run through September 29. The Europe-based duo consists of Jean Eric Habimana, who is under high level training in Switzerland, and Moise Mugisha, who is currently on trials with French side Sables Vendée. Mugisha, winner of the 2018 Tour du Rwanda, and Uhiriwe left the country Tuesday morning aboard a RwandAir flight and were due to arrive in Yorkshire later in the day. In an interview with Times Sport before the team’s departure, Mugisha said that he was in good form and optimistic to compete for top positions in the U-23 men’s road race on Friday – along with Moise Mugisha. “The target is to do everything we can for top positions, and we are ready for it,” he said, before acknowledging that, “The challenge is huge, we will be up against the best riders in the world.” The four riders carry the country’s hopes for a podium finish in the world championships, but their chances have dealt a blow after receiving visas very to miss the Individual Time Trial (ITT) contents on Monday and Tuesday. Habimana and Uhirirwe will be vying for the honours in men’s junior road race on Saturday, a 148km ride that will include a gruesome elevation of 2171 metres. The quartet in Yorkshire is under the tutelage of American trainer Sterling Magnell, while Eric Maniriho is the riders’ mechanic. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
