The 15th edition of Tour du Rwanda cycling race will cost an estimated Rwf1.4 billion, the cycling governing body (Ferwacy) has confirmed. The race, which is due from February 19-26, returns to the streets when the world of sports is fully back to the new normal and fresh from difficult conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Abdallah Murenzi, the federation’s president, said the eight-day competition promises to be better and more competitive than previous editions given that the budget has been increased. We have a good budget to work with and we hope. with more money injected, even the standards will improve,” Murenzi said. “We have increased the budget to have a better and more attractive competition. So we expect everything to be at its best during the course of the race,” he added. The eight-stage race, which is regarded by many as one of the most prestigious cycling events on the continent, will attract 20 teams from around the world of which two, Benediction Kitei Pro2020 and Team Rwanda, will be representing Rwanda. Arguably the biggest race of the UCI Africa Tour calendar, the annual cycling race attracts riders from countries across the globe contesting for the pride of their respective teams, nations or clubs, while racing through a designed itinerary nationwide. Eritrea’s Natnael Testefasion who rides for Italian Club Drone Hopper–Androni Giocattoli, is the reigning champion of the race. He is the only rider to have won the tournament twice since it was sanctioned to 2.1 on the UCI Africa Tour calendar in 2019. No Rwandan rider has won Tour du Rwanda since the tournament was sanctioned to the 2.1 UCI cycling races in 2019, ending their serial dominance under the 2.2 racing category. Only Moise Mugisha managed to win a stage during last year's edition. A total of $51,000 (about Rwf51 million) will be given out to winners in stage and general classifications. The overall Yellow Jersey winner takes home $4,000, while a stage winner receives $1,400. Organized annually by Ferwacy, Tour du Rwanda first took place in 1988 and was an amateur race until it was added to the UCI Africa Tour in 2009. It was later upgraded to 2.1 in 2019. Then experienced Moroccan rider Adil Jelloul won the inaugural UCI Continental Tour event with a comfortable lead.
