High-flying Patrick Byukusenge was excited for the performance that saw him win the 2023 national road race championship on Sunday. The Benediction Club rider was crowned champion of the men’s elite championship after clocking three hours and 17 minutes and 27 seconds in a distance of 132.7 kilometres. After winning his very first race of 2023, Byukusenge couldn’t hide his delight at positioning himself among the best as his hunger for success at more races continues to grow. I am so happy to win my second championship, but I was even more grateful for my teammates who played a key role in winning the race. It would not have been possible without them. The victory is a motivation to keep us up for the next races and I am looking forward to the next races, The 32-year-old said. In a windy situation, riders raced on high speeds in the early kilometers but Byukusenge dominated towards the end of the race. The Rubavu-born rider was an underrated figure before the start of the gruesome race against the likes of pre-tournament favourite Moise Mugisha, Renus Byiza Uhiriwe and Eric Manizabayo. It was a very difficult race featuring most of the professional riders, but in such a very long race, experience matters most. I tried to reserve myself, to avoid making breakaways, unnecessary attacks and I decided to attack towards the finish line and, fortunately, I won. I’m happy about this, he added. It's not the first time Byukusenge won a major local race, having previously claimed the Rwanda Cycling Cup, Race to Remember and Central Challenge.
