The newly elected president of the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY), Hubert Nkurayija Ishimwe, has unveiled plans to introduce a Women’s Tour of Rwanda as part of efforts to promote inclusivity and ensure the long-term development of cycling in the country. Nkurayija was elected by the General Assembly on May 31 to lead FERWACY for the next four years. He was the sole candidate for the presidency. ALSO READ: Nkurayija elected FERWACY President Unopposed Before his election, he served as coordinator of the Tour du Rwanda, the annual UCI 2.1 Africa Tour race that attracts men's teams from around the world. It has been 18 years since the Tour du Rwanda gained international status. While Rwanda launched the Rwanda Junior Tour two years ago for riders under the age of 19, Nkurayija believes the time has come to create more opportunities for women cyclists. One of his top priorities, he said, is establishing a structured women's race alongside broader reforms aimed at strengthening athlete development. Our first project is to establish a Women's Tour of Rwanda, Nkurayija said. This year it may not be on the UCI calendar, but by next year it will be. This is not only about giving women an opportunity, but also about showing that Rwanda is a developed sporting nation. Nkurayija spent just six months as Tour du Rwanda coordinator before deciding to pursue the FERWACY presidency, a move he says was inspired by the valuable experience he gained in the role. The confidence came from organizing the Tour du Rwanda, he said, citing his long-standing involvement in cycling as a key motivation for seeking leadership. I asked myself what contribution I could make. With the knowledge I have gained and the people I have met, when the opportunity came, I decided to approach the members and share what I can achieve in four years. Tour du Rwanda is a major event, and the way it was organized gave me the confidence to take on this responsibility. Nkurayija also paid tribute to the outgoing leadership, led by former president Samson Ndayishimiye, for entrusting him with significant responsibilities. I would like to thank Samson because the people who worked with me trusted me, he said. Road ahead... Focus on athlete development While launching a Women's Tour of Rwanda tops his agenda, Nkurayija acknowledges that the federation faces several other priorities over the next four years. Before his election, he presented a development strategy focused on nurturing young talent, particularly riders aged between 19 and 23, whom he believes can form the backbone of a competitive national team in the coming years. Every project must have a strong foundation. In cycling, the first pillar is the athlete, he said. An athlete is not just someone sitting on a bike. You must understand their training, discipline and overall development. He also wants to grow cycling beyond the professional ranks by encouraging wider community participation. We want to build a community of cycling lovers—bank executives, CEOs, parents—people who will inspire their children to take up the sport. Changes to national team preparation A former professional cyclist himself, Nkurayija says he understands what athletes need to prepare and perform at the highest level. One of the major changes under his leadership will be a revamped approach to national team preparation, ensuring riders have sufficient time to train ahead of major competitions. You cannot prepare a team in three months, he said. We now have nine or 10 months. The goal is not to promise victory, but to improve on the results of the past three years. He noted that while Rwanda has previously won stages and individual awards at the Tour du Rwanda, the long-term objective is to become consistently competitive for the overall title by 2027. Earlier Tour du Rwanda announcements and tougher routes FERWACY also plans to announce future editions of the Tour du Rwanda earlier than in previous years, beginning in August rather than waiting until November or December. Teams plan their calendars in November. Late announcements affect participation, Nkurayija explained. He also revealed plans to introduce more demanding stages while retaining some of the race's traditional routes. We have not had a true Queen Stage for some time. In 2027, we must have a 190- or 200-kilometre stage that can decide the race. Youth races and regional expansion The Next Champions Race will be staged on the final day of the 2026 Tour du Rwanda, with ambitions to expand it into a three-day competition in future editions. We will start with Rwandan teams, then invite East African teams in 2027, combining youth races with the Tour du Rwanda. Nkurayija believes these initiatives, combined with greater investment in athlete development and women's cycling, will help strengthen Rwanda's position as one of Africa's leading cycling nations.
