It’s exciting to be back in Europe – Ndayisenga

TOUR du Rwanda double champion Valens Ndayisenga and compatriot Jean Claude Uwizeye are set for a move to French side Pays Olonne Cycliste Côte de Lumière. The two Rwanda international cyclists have both signed a one-year contract and will be joining the club next month after the XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. According to Ndayisenga, 24, Pays Olonne Cycliste Côte de Lumière approached the duo shortly after the 2018 African Continental Road Championship staged in Kigali, but, this was kept a secret until the deal was final. Talking to Times Sport on Sunday evening, the 2014 and 2016 Tour du Rwanda winner, Ndayisenga said; “I am very excited for the opportunity to be back racing in Europe; I look forward to enjoying my career with Pays Olonne Cycliste Côte de Lumière and helping the club succeed.” “We both (himself and Uwizeye) signed one year of contract, and we will be joining the team in April. My main target is to work hard, take my cycling career to new heights in France,” Ndayiseg noted. While Uwizeye is signing his first professional contract, Ndayisenga will be riding for the French side as his third professional club. Previously, Ndayisenga rode for South Africa’s Dimension Data for Qhubeka’s continental team in 2016 before crossing to Austria’s Tirol Cycling Team last year. Currently, the two former Rwamagana-based Les Amis Sportif cyclists, Ndayisenga and Uwizeye are in residential camp for intensive preparations at Africa Rising Cycling Centre in Musanze ahead of the 21st Commonwealth Games. Led by man of the moment, Joseph Areruya, the six-person Team Rwanda to the Commonwealth Games also includes Uwizeye, Ndayisenga, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana as well as youngsters Didier Munyaneza and Jean Paul Rene Ukiniwabo. Reigning national champion Beatha Ingabire and Magnifique Manizabayo will compete in women’s cycling. Pays Olonne Cycliste Côte de Lumière (POCCL) is a professional cycling club affiliated to French Federation of Cycling, FFC, since 1992. The multi-level club possesses a senior team, a junior team and a cycling academy. Both Ndayisenga and Uwizeye join compatriot Areruya, who completed his professional move to French team Delko–Marseille Provence KTM ten days ago. Areruya, 22, penned a two-year contract and will also join his new team in April after the Commonwealth Games. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Sports

It’s exciting to be back in Europe – Ndayisenga