Team Amani rider Eric Muhoza and Diane Ingabire claimed victory in the senior races of the 2026 Heroes Cycling Race, held on Saturday, January 24. The annual event was organised in line with National Heroes Day, commemorated on February 1 and this year celebrated under the theme “Heroism and Unity for Rwanda’s Development.” The race attracted 98 riders competing across several categories, including men’s and women’s elite, men’s and women’s under-23, and junior races. In the men’s elite category, riders set off from Shyorongi in Rulindo District and raced to the finish line in Batsinda, passing through Base, Gicumbi, Rukomo, and Nyacyonga in Gasabo District. Muhoza completed the 157km course in 3 hours, 20 minutes and 19 seconds, edging out Etienne Tuyizere of Java Innovotec Pro Team, who finished second 1 minute and 19 seconds behind. “It took a lot of courage to achieve this victory. I made a breakaway before exiting Gicumbi District, and it paid off. This shows that the upcoming Tour du Rwanda glory will return home,” Muhoza told Times Sport. In the women’s elite and under-23 race, Diane Ingabire of Benedict Cycling Club dominated the 145km route from Nyirangarama to Batsinda, clocking 3 hours, 12 minutes and 3 seconds. She finished ahead of Jazilla Mwamikazi, while Mwamikazi’s Ndabaga Women Cycling Team teammate Martha Ntakirutimana came in third. The junior men’s race, covering the same distance as the women’s elite and U23 event, was won by Jackson Nkurikiyinka of Benedict Cycling Club, who posted a time of 2 hours, 33 minutes and 47 seconds. He was followed by Pacific Byusa and Yassin Niyonkuru, both of Les Amis Sportifs. In the women’s junior category, which covered 78km, the shortest distance of the race, Yvonne Masengesho of Ndabaga Women Cycling Team emerged victorious. She was followed by Ancila Uwizeyimana and Donatha Akimana.
