Moise Mugisha, who rides for South African cycling side ProTouch, on Saturday, November 12, won the inaugural Kibeho Cycling race, overcoming stiff competition from Eric Manizabayo. Mugisha used two hours 34 minutes and 58 seconds (3h34’58”) to cover the 97 kilometres of the one-lap race happening for the first time in Nyaruguru District. The 25-year-old came to the race as a favorite to win alongside Eric Manizabayo who leads the Rwanda Cycling cup so far this. The duo was wheel-to-wheel during the sprint to the finish line at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Kibeho but Mugisha’s experience helped him finish at the summit. He finished two seconds ahead of Manizabayo while Patrick Byukusenge completed the podium as he finished the race three minutes and 13 seconds off the top. Josiane Mukashema won the women’s elite race after covering 86kilometres in two hours 44 minutes and 36 seconds, finishing at the summit ahead of Jacqueline Tuyishime, Diane Ingabire and Valentine Nzayisenga who all used the same times to the finish line. In the junior’s categories, Hashim Tuyizere of Les Amis Sportifs and Claudette Nyirahabimana of Benediction Club won the men and women’s junior races. The Kibeho race triumph keeps Mugisha in the race for the Rwanda Cycling Cup which remains Manizabayo’s to lose, having won two races in Kibugabuga and the Gisaka race in Kirehe District, Eastern Province. The Kibeho race also saw some home grown cyclists showcasing their talent during the amateur race. Using his ballon bike, 20-year-old Jean Pierre Ndayisenga proved his worth in front of home supporters. He won the race ahead of Augustin Nyirinkindi and Daniel Ntigurirwa who emerged second and third, respectively. The next race for the Rwanda Cycling Cup shifts to Musanze on December 9. During the race, local residents were given opportunity to compete with their bicycles .
