Team Rwanda has departed for Algiers to compete in the 2026 Tour d’Algérie, scheduled from April 17 to 26. This marks the team’s first race since the conclusion of the 2026 Tour du Rwanda on March 1. Head coach Félix Sempoma has selected a youthful six-man squad, largely composed of riders under the age of 23. The only exception is 24-year-old Vainqueur Masengesho, a regular member of the senior team. The rest of the squad includes Shadrack Ufitimana (20), Espoir Uhiriwe (20), Kevin Nshutiraguma (20), Didier Twagirayezu (19), and Moïse Ntirenganya (19). Masengesho was arguably Rwanda’s standout performer the last time the team competed in this race in 2024, finishing ninth overall, 3 minutes and 58 seconds behind the winner. Rwanda also boasts past successes in Algeria: in 2016, Joseph Areruya won the Circuit International de Constantine, part of the Grand Tour d’Algérie, while Hadi Janvier claimed victory at the Grand Prix d’Oran in 2015. This year’s Tour d’Algérie will cover a total distance of 1,282 kilometers, beginning in Oran on Friday, April 17, and concluding in Tizi Ouzou on Sunday, April 26. Team Rwanda will compete in a 20-team peloton that includes Tarteletto-Isorex (Belgium), Cyklotym Havířov–Tirana (Czech Republic), Embrace the World CT (Germany), Energus Cycling Team (Lithuania), Tshenologo Pro Cycling Team (South Africa), as well as the national teams of Tunisia and Oman, among others. Stages for Tour d’Algerie 2026: April 17 (Stage 1): Oran-Oran (126,7 km) April 18 (Stage 2): Oran-Tlemcen (152,5 km) April 19 (Stage 3): Tlemcen- Sidi Bel-Abbès (139,1 km) April 20 (Stage 4): Sidi Bel Abbès- Mostaganem (134,9 km) April 21 (Stage 5): Mosta- Mosta (132,2 km) April 22 (Stage 6): Mosta- Ténès (155,5 km) April 23 (Stage 7): Chlef- Chlef (98,7 km) April 24 (stage 8): Chlef- Hammam Righa (125,4 km) April 25 (Stage 9): Hammam Righa- Jebel Chréa (112,4 km) April 26 (Stage 10): Alger- Tizi Ouzou (105 km).
