Donatha Akimana from Nyabihu Cycling Academy and Jules Mugabo of Zip Cycling Team claimed top honours at the ninth edition of the 2025 Youth Race Cup, held on Sunday at the Field of Dreams in Bugesera District. The one-day event, organised by Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY), featured five competition categories: Pupilles (U11), Benjamins (U13), Minimes (U15), Cadets (U17), and Juniors (U19). In the Junior (U19) race, riders completed 30 laps, with Mugabo finishing first in 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 25 seconds. His Kayonza Cycling Team rivals, William Natanziki and Vevien Irakoze, followed 1 minute and 7 seconds later. On the girls’ side, Akimana powered to victory in 58 minutes and 3 seconds, covering 29 laps. She was followed by Immaculée Izabayo and Anissa Uwase Uwizeyimana. “I’m very happy to have achieved my goal. This victory comes from following our coach’s guidance. It gives me the belief that nothing is impossible,” said the 17-year-old Akimana with a bright smile. ALSO READ: Kigali to host the 2025 African Cycling Awards In the U17 boys category, Fuad Mukwende of Les Amis Sportif crossed the finish line first after 18 laps, clocking 41 minutes and 43 seconds. His teammate Christian Nyamuberwa came second, 1 minute and 30 seconds behind, while Response Intwali finished third. For the girls, Cynthia Nishimwe from Ndabaga Cycling Team claimed the first place with a time of 42 minutes and 47 seconds, followed by Joy Niyibizi and Divine Ingabire from Les Amis Sportif. FERWACY Vice President Valent Bigango praised the growth of the Youth Race Cup, highlighting its success in nurturing national-level athletes. “Our federation has learned that real cycling development begins at the grassroots. That’s why we continue to attract investors to support these youth races and the results are showing,” Bigango said. He noted that the competition has already produced two top riders Brian Ishimwe and Jackson Nkurikiyinka who represented Rwanda at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in the Junior category. ALSO READ: How Rwanda turned the UCI World Championships into a festival of joy In the U15 boys race, Mubarak Byiringiro of Zip Cycling Team took first place, completing 12 laps in 30 minutes and 22 seconds, ahead of Félicien Dusengimana from Sina Gérard Cycling Team, who finished 11 seconds later. In the girls race, Gloria Agasaro topped the category with a time of 31 minutes and 39 seconds, followed by Jehovaire Liza, 2 minutes and 23 seconds behind. For the U13 division, Thadée Igiraneza and Alice Umutoni captured the titles in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively, both covering 6 laps. The youngest riders in the U11 category raced over 5 laps, with Héritier Gabirwa Mahirwe taking the boys’ crown and Françoise Uwamahoro winning the girls’ race.
