Eritrean star rider Henok Mulubrhan has sent a warning to rivals that he and his teammates are in the country with a mission to win Tour du Rwanda 2026. The eight-day race will kick off on Sunday, February 21 and run until March 1. It will attract 18 team including Team Eritrea which returned to the country with two past Tour du Rwanda winners Mulubrhan and Merhawi Kudus. “We’re not here for pictures,” Mulubrhan said during the pre-race press conference on Saturday. Returning as one of the pre-race favourites, Mulubrhan emphasized that Eritrea’s ambition goes beyond chasing stage victories. “Last year, the race wasn’t on our side. But now we’re back well prepared and ready to fight for victory again,” he said. ALSO READ: What you need to know about Tour du Rwanda 2026 Eritrea’s redemption mission Eritrea last won the Tour du Rwanda in 2023 when Mulubrhan won it on his debut appearance. Despite not winning the past two edition, it still stands out as the most dominant nations in African cycling. During the 17th edition, Eritrean rider Nahom Araya reignited hopes by winning Stage 7, raising expectations of an overall triumph. But adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of the final stage in Kigali. As a result, the general classification standings were frozen based on earlier results, handing victory to French rider Fabien Doubey of Team TotalEnergies. Mulubrhan narrowly missed the title, finishing just four seconds behind Doubey in the overall standings. ALSO READ: Tour du Rwanda 2026 brings racing spectacle back to Nyamirambo Eritrea returns into this year’s race with a formidable squad comprising Mulubrhan, Kudus, Nahom Araya, Natan Medhanie, and team captain Yafiet Mulugeta 2026 Tour du Rwanda Itinerary Stage 1: Rukomo – Rwamagana (174 km, elevation gain: 2,128 m) Stage 2: Nyamata – Huye (135 km, elevation gain: 2,074 m) Stage 3: Huye – Rusizi (145 km, elevation gain: 3,107 m) Stage 4: Karongi – Rubavu (127 km, elevation gain: 2,586 m) Stage 5: Rubavu Criterium (82 km, elevation gain: 888 m) Stage 6: Rubavu – Musanze (84 km, elevation gain: 1,435 m) Stage 7: Musanze – Kigali (147 km, elevation gain: 2,190 m) Stage 8: Kigali – Kigali (99 km, elevation gain: 2,092 m)
