19 Rwandan cyclists prepare for UCI 2026
Friday, August 21, 2026
Rwandan cyclists who are in a training camp at the UCI Regional Satellite Centre in Musanze ahead of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships. File

Rwandan cyclists have begun a training camp at the UCI Regional Satellite Centre in Musanze as they prepare for the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, scheduled to take place in Montreal, Canada, from September 20 to 27.

Montreal will host the 99th edition of the championships, following the historic 2025 event in Kigali, Rwanda.

The women's elite and Under-23 group includes Xaveline Nirere, Claudette Nyirarukundo, Diane Ingabire, Liliane Uwiringiyimana, Mariate Byukusenge, and Jazilla Mwamikazi.

National Team Coach Félix Sempoma has selected a provisional squad of 19 riders for the training camp, which started this week and will run until September 16, before the team departs for Canada.

The squad features athletes from the elite men's and women's categories, the Under-23 ranks, and the junior categories.

In the junior women's category, the riders are Yvonne Masengesho, Donatha Akimana, and Zawadi Kanyange.

The women's elite and Under-23 group includes Xaveline Nirere, Claudette Nyirarukundo, Diane Ingabire, Liliane Uwiringiyimana, Mariate Byukusenge, and Jazilla Mwamikazi.

The women's elite and Under-23 group includes Xaveline Nirere, Claudette Nyirarukundo, Diane Ingabire, Liliane Uwiringiyimana, Mariate Byukusenge, and Jazilla Mwamikazi.

Among the men, Shemu Nsengiyumva is the only rider older than 23, while the other selected athletes are Shadrack Ufitimana, Aimé Ruhumuriza, Kevin Nshutiraguma, and Samuel Niyonkuru.

The riders participating in the junior men's (U19) training camp are Brian Ishimwe, Jackson Nkurikiyinka, Jonathan Rafiki Muhawenimana, Pacifique Byusa, and Jules Mugabo.

Rwanda was represented by 23 cyclists when the World Championships were held in Kigali in 2025.

Rwandan cyclists who are in a training camp at the UCI Regional Satellite Centre in Musanze ahead of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships. File