Team Rwanda head coach Felix Sempoma has named Shadrack Ufitimana in his final squad for the highly anticipated Tour du Rwanda 2026, set to run from February 22 to March 1. The 20-year-old will be making his debut at the continental race which is in its 18th edition. Ufitimana first rose to prominence in the junior ranks after winning the 2024 Rwanda Junior Tour while riding for Rwamagana-based Les Amis Sportifs. He was also among the junior riders called up to a preparatory camp for the 2025 UCI Road World Championships but narrowly missed out on the final team selection. Ahead of this year’s Tour du Rwanda, the Kayonza-born rider impressed at one-day Amahoro Criterium, finishing fifth overall. He also represented Rwanda at the Tour of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. ALSO READ: Tour du Rwanda 2026 budget rises to nearly Rwf2bn Also joining Ufitimana in the Team Rwanda squad are his club teammate Eric Nkundabera and the Java–Inovotec trio of Etienne Tuyizere, Shemu Nsengiyumva and veteran Patrick Byukusenge, who will be making his 14th appearance at the race. Meanwhile, Vainqueur Masengesho — Team Rwanda’s best performer at the 2025 edition — will this year compete under continental side Benediction Cycling Club. Team Rwanda is one of four national teams on the 18-team peloton confirmed for Tour du Rwanda 2026. The other national sides include Eritrea, South Africa and Ethiopia.
