Team Rwanda departs for Rio today

RWANDA national cycling team departed for Brazil this morning to participate in the Tour of Rio de Janeiro scheduled for August 29 to September 2. Team Rwanda, which made their maiden debut in the tournament last year, goes into this year’s race with the target of finishing in top ten (out of 19 teams). Last year they finished fourteenth.The team has been in intensive preparations in Musanze, Northern Province under the close eye of American head coach Jonathan Boyer.“We should at least finish in the top ten, last year we finished fourteenth which I think was not very bad for debutants. We (cycling federation) have tried to be very close to the team in preparations and we hope for better results,” Rwanda Cycling Federation Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Murenzi told Times sport yesterday.He added, “The experience we gained from last year’s competition will help us reach our target this time round.”The six elite riders that will represent the country include; team Captain Nathan Byukusenge, Abraham Ruhumuriza, Nicodem Habiyambere, Emmanuel Rudahunga, Hadi Janvier and Joseph Biziyaremye.Former Team Rwanda rider Obed Ruvogera, who is fresh from a three-month massage therapy training, and currently a message therapist for the team, is one of four officials who will travel with the team to South America. After the Tour of Rio, Team Rwanda will turn focus to the Tour de Faso and African Continental championship slated to take place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in November before returning for the Tour of Rwanda slated for November 18-25.

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Team Rwanda departs for Rio today