Rwandan cyclists, and cycling fans alike, will be hoping for a better 2021 year after enduring one of the most challenging years – 2020 season – of their lifetimes. Most lined-up activities and races were not only cancelled due to Covid-19, but the riders were also not allowed outdoor training as the government implemented a lockdown to contain the pandemic after the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Rwanda in March. The last road race on the Rwandan soil was the 12th Tour du Rwanda, which climaxed on March 1. From another failed attempt by home riders to win Tour du Rwanda to Moise Mugisha’s historic victory at the Grand Prix Chantal Biya, Weekend Sport looks at major events that transpired Rwanda’s cycling in 2020. Eritrean Tesfatsion takes home Tour du Rwanda Yellow Jersey For a second consecutive year, an Eritrean rider underlined the Horn of Africa country’s status as a cycling powerhouse as 20-year-old Natnael Tesfatsion claimed the Yellow Jersey of the 2020 Tour du Rwanda, beating closest challenger Moise Mugisha by 54 seconds. The 2019 edition was won by UCI World Tour rider Merhawi Kudus. Since the annual race – widely regarded as the biggest cycling event in Africa – was upgraded to UCI 2.1 category two years ago, no local rider has managed a single stage victory. Cycling tourism launched Rwanda Cycling Federation (Ferwacy) launched cycling tourism scheme in June, in Musanze District, to help local and foreign tourists to enjoy the country’s stunning scenery on bike. The move will, according to the federation, enable guests to explore what Rwanda has to offer beyond the mainstream tourism products such as gorilla trekking. To ensure a smooth running and rapid growth of cycling tourism, Ferwacy has partnered with Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the government’s agency in charge of fast-tracking and enabling the growth of private sector. Visa restrictions bar Team Rwanda from World Champs Travel restrictions in the European Schengen area dented Team Rwanda’s chances of participating at the 2020 UCI Road World Championships held in Imola and the Emilia-Romagna, Italy from September 24-27. The 2020 edition of the annual event, the world’s biggest cycling event, was initially scheduled for September 20-27 in Aigle and Martigny, Switzerland, but the world cycling body (UCI) was forced to move the competition to another country following the Swiss Federal Council’s ban on events convening more than 1000 people. Rwanda, as a result, had no other option but to send France-based rider Samuel Mugisha as the sole flagbearer since he did not need a visa to travel to Italy. However, the 23-year old, who rides for French Cycling side LMP–La Roche Sur Yon, did not manage to finish the gruesome road race. Moise Mugisha wins Grand Prix Chantal Biya Despite being a devastating year, Moise Mugisha proved 2020 was not all doom and gloom as he defied the odds to win this year’s Grand Prix Chantal Biya in November – becoming the first Rwandan to ever win the annual Cameroonian race. With the victory, the 22-year-old also pocketed Rwf11 million in cash prize. Team Rwanda parts ways with Magnell The local cycling governing body has begun the search for a new head coach of the national team. The coach is expected to lead Team Rwanda through the 2021 Tour du Rwanda, which is scheduled for February 21-28. The position has been vacant since last month when Ferwacy decided not to offer him a contract extension to American tactician Sterling Magnell who had been in charge since 2015. His assistant, Felix Sempoma, has since been appointed as interim coach. Mugisha makes astonishing claims about coach Niyonshuti Arguably Rwanda’s best rider of the year 2020, Moise Mugisha’s future in cycling – and particularly with SACA – is uncertain after revealing that he was repeatedly mistreated and beaten up by his coach Adrien Niyonshuti last month. The rider has since gone AWOL at the Skol Adrien Cycling Club (SACA) and risks missing the upcoming Tour du Rwanda. This publication understands that Mugisha has approached his club’s sponsors, Skol Brewery Ltd, over a possibility of terminating his contract but the latter insist that the situation can be fixed without losing their best rider. Last month, Mugisha finished third on the ranking of top 10 best African cyclists of the year 2020, only behind Eritreans Biniam Girmay (winner) and first runner-up Natnael Tesfatsion.
