Stages Jan. 20: Bitam – Ebolowa (150 km) Jan. 21: Bitam – Oyem (110 km) Jan. 22: Mitzic – Ndjolé (180 km) Jan. 23: Lambaréné – Mouila (190 km) Jan. 24: Lambaréné – Kango (145 km) Jan. 25: Port Gentil – Port Gentil (130 km) Jan. 26: Nkok – Libreville (130 km) Team Rwanda Cycling coach Felix Sempoma has expressed optimism ahead of the 2020 La Tropicale Amissa Bongo race, which wheels off on January 20 in Gabon. The seven-stage race will run through January 26. Sempoma told Times Sport in an interview that the selected line-up has been together in training for a long time and they still have almost four weeks of preparations to go into the race as one of the main challengers for the coveted Yellow Jersey. “We need to give our best in the competition, and I am quite positive the boys will do a good job. We still have weeks of preparations, and the team has been together for some time now.” “They are all at a good fitness level.” This year’s La Tropicale Amissa Bongo – the 15th edition – will be the longest in the event’s history with a total of 1,035 kilometres. Led by Joseph Areruya, the six-man Team Rwanda also includes Samuel Mugisha, Moise Mugisha, Didier Munyaneza, Renus Byiza Uhiriwe and Jean Claude Nzafashwanayo. “We have selected riders who have been doing well for the last couple of years, and who are progressively becoming top class athletes. It is going to be a tough competition, but we will make sure we are ready in time and perform to our very best level.” Asked about the talent and abilities within his team, Sempoma did not hesitate to respond, “We absolutely have all it takes to win.” 2020 marks the ninth year Rwanda will be participating in the UCI 2.1 category race, and Sempoma’s men will be daring to win it for a second time following the 2018 historic victory through Areruya.
