Cyclist Girubuntu looks to improve in continental road race

SaturdayElite Women Road race (99.6km) 9am Sunday Elite Men & U23 Road Race (169km) 9am AFTER far from convincing display in Thursday’s elite women Individual time trial (ITT), Rwanda’s only female rider at the ongoing 2017 African Continental Championships in Luxor, Egypt, Jeanne d’Arc Girubuntu is looking to make amends in the final women elite road race due today. Girubuntu, who entered the annual event as 2016 silver medalist in the ITT, saw her attempt end rather unceremoniously after she finished eighth in the 29km race. The 21-year-old most decorated Rwandan female rider posted 42 minutes and 54 seconds to settle for a disappointing eighth place ending her hopes to become the first Rwandan female rider to claim a medal in the continental showpiece twice in a row. Last year in Casablanca, Morocco, Girubuntu claimed silver in this category, becoming the first Rwandan woman to win a medal at that level. “Thursday’s competition was really tough, and I can attribute it to the long time I spent last year out injured which affected my pace; however, I am still optimistic and I want to give all I can in Saturday’s race, everything is possible,” said Girubuntu. The 99.6km distance will go around the City of Luxor. Namibia’s Vera Adrian is the defending champion in this category, while South Africa’s An-Li Kachelhoffer and Mauritania’s Kimberley Le Court took silver and bronze, respectively. Meanwhile, the seven-day event concludes Sunday with the elite men road race (169km) and Rwanda’s flag will be carried by five riders, namely Valens Ndayisenga, Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Joseph Areruya, Samuel Mugisha, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana and Rene Ukinawabo. Team Rwanda has so far bagged two bronze medals from the men’s Team Time Trial and Areruya’s medal in the U23 ITT. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Cyclist Girubuntu looks to improve in continental road race