Cycling: Byukusenge seeks to impress at Rio Olympics

Rwanda national team rider Nathan Byukusenge will be hoping to impress at the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympics Games, slated for August 5-21 in Brazil. The 36-year-old, who rides for local side Benediction Club and Team Rwanda, qualified after impressing in the African Continental Mountain Bike Championships held in Musanze in May last year. “I am training hard, which I think is the only way that will help me to do well at the Olympics. I am looking forward to the main event,” Byukusenge said. Byukusenge added that, “I want to do better and believe that I have the potential to do so. I will be facing very good cyclists but I will do all I can to perform well in the race.” Byukusenge will be at the MTB National Championship at Musanze District this weekend as he continues his intensive training ahead of Rio. Two months ago, he travelled to Spain for a one-month training session. The athlete, however, urged Rwanda National Olympic Sports Committee to improve on the support accorded to local athletes. He warned that the current level of support is not enough to produce medal winners. Byukusenge has been doing well at international level. He finished 6th in African Continental Championship in 2011 while at the GC Tour of Rwanda 2012, he finished 4th. He also finished 3rd at the National Championships Rwanda-Road Race in 2013, 2nd at the National Championships Road Race in 2012, 6th in Kwita Izina Cycling Tour in 2012 while at the 8thTour du Rwanda he came in 15th place. Byukusenge will be competing in the race, known as the world’s toughest MTB stage race, but the Team Rwanda member has raced in this event several times since its establishment in 2007. editorial@newtimes.co.rw