Twenty-six riders have joined Team Rwanda’s training camp in preparation for the 2025 CAC Road Cycling African Championships, scheduled to take place in Kenya from November 19 to 23. According to coach Nathan Byukusenge, some riders have not yet joined the camp as they are still attending school. The training camp is being held at the Africa Cycling Center in Musanze District. In addition to the shortlisted riders, all cyclists who represented Rwanda in the recent 2025 UCI Road World Championships are also part of the training squad. The final team to represent Rwanda will be unveiled on November 7. The African Championships will feature Under-23, Junior, and Elite categories for both men and women. ALSO READ: Kigali to host the 2025 African Cycling Awards The competition will include road races, a Team Time Trial Mixed Relay, and Individual Time Trials (ITT). The provisional list of Team Rwanda riders who joined the camp that began on Tuesday, October 28, features a strong lineup across all categories. In the Men’s Elite category are Moise Mugisha and Vainqueur Masengesho from Benediction Club; Shemu Nsengiyumva, Eric Manizabayo, and Patrick Byukusenge from Java Innovotec; Eric Nkundabera from Les Amis Sportifs; Eric Mahoro from Team Amani; and Jeremie Ngendahayo from May Stars. The Men’s Under-23 category includes Samuel Niyonkuru from Team Amani, Etienne Tuyizere from Java Innovotec, and Aime Ruhumuriza from May Stars. In the Men’s Junior category are Moise Ntirenganya and Pacifique Byusa from Les Amis Sportifs, Jackson Nkurikiyinka from Nyabihu Cycling Club, and Brian Ishimwe from Ndabaga Cycling Team. ALSO READ: ‘Hosting UCI championships was no small feat,’ says Prime Minister Nsengiyumva For the Women’s Elite category, the riders include Xaverine Nirere from Team Amani, Valentine Nzayisenga from Benediction Club, Diane Ingabire from Canyon-SRAM Zandacrypto Generation, and Violette Neza Irakoze from Ridley Racing Team. The Women’s Under-23 group features Jazilla Mwamikazi, Martha Ntakirutimana, and Charlotte Iragena from Ndabaga Cycling Team, along with Claudette Nyirarukundo from Team Amani. Finally, in the Women’s Junior category are Yvonne Masengesho from Ndabaga Cycling Team and Liliane Uwiringiyimana from Friends of Nature Cycling Team. ALSO READ: How Rwanda turned the UCI World Championships into a festival of joy The 2025 CAC Road Cycling African Championships will officially kick off on November 20 with the Individual Time Trials (ITT). The women’s junior riders will open the competition with a 14km race, followed by the men’s junior, elite, and U23 (both men and women) categories, who will each cover 28km. On November 21, the Mixed Relay for Elite and U23 categories will take place over 14km, followed by the women’s junior road race covering 64.5km. The same day will also feature a youth category, with men riding 42km and women covering 28km. On November 22, only the women’s elite riders will compete, racing 107.6km. The final day, November 23, will see the men’s junior riders cover 107.6km, while the elite men will close the championships with a 163.8km race to determine the continental champions.
