Kwita Izina tour flags off today

TodayStage 1Kigali-Kinigi (100km)Stage 2Musanze-Rubavu (63km)SundayStage 3Rubavu-Kigali (158km)This year’s Kwita Izina cycling tour will attract up to 10 teams, organisers, Rwanda Cycling Union, have confirmed. The two-day competition races off this morning at Amahor stadium, Remera.Hosts Rwanda will field three teams – Karisimbi, Akagera and Rwanda Muhabura – which will be comprised of youngsters that will be given a chance to compete in the cut-throat race.The seven remaining teams are expected to come from Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania.According to the competition’s rules, each team will field six riders. Kenya and Rwanda entering two and three teams respectively for the competition which has three stages that include a 100km race from Kigali to Kinigi, a stop-over at Kinigi, a place famous for gorilla trekking, before embarking on the 63km stage two race from Musanze to Rubavu.The final stage and the longest will be on Sunday from Rubavu to Kigali (158km).Each stage winner will fetch a cash prize of Euros 482 (Rwf361, 000) while the overall winner will take home Euros 500 (Rwf374, 600).The best (mountain) climber, young rider as well as best Rwandan finisher will earn themselves Euros 100 (Rwf74, 000).As with other international races, the Yellow Jersey will be given for the overall individual classification, while the White with red spots Jersey will be worn by the best climber, the best young rider will wear the White Jersey and the Blue Jersey is reserved for the best home (Rwandan) rider.The race started in 2009 as a competition race but was upgraded to an international event last year. Nathan Byukusenge won the inaugural race, Abraham Ruhumuriza won the 2010 edition while Eritrean Daniel Telkehmaniot reigned in last year’s edition.But with the Eritrean contingent out of the race, it is the best chance for a Rwandan rider to win an international competition.The theme for this year’s race is ‘Sustainable Tourism for a Green Economy’.

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Kwita Izina tour flags off today