Eritrean Tesfazion crowned Tour du Rwanda champion

Select results General classification 1. Natnael Tesfazion – 23:12:01 2. Moise Mugisha – 23:13:06 3. Patrick Schelling – 23:13:45 7. Valencia Restrepo – 23:15:26 11. Eric Manizabayo – 23:20:04 12. Joseph Areruya – 23:20:18 15. Samuel Muisha – 20:24:48 Stage 8 1. Jose Manuel Diaz – 02:33:24 2. Moise Mugisha – 02:33:27 3. Main Kent – 02:33:31 Natnael Tesfazion has become the third Eritrean and second in a row to win the Tour du Rwanda after being crowned as this year’s champion on Sunday afternoon in Kigali. The 20-year old claimed the coveted Yellow Jersey of the biggest cycling race on the continent from compatriot Merhawi Kudus who won it last year when Tour du Rwanda was organised for the first time under the UCI 2.1 category. Rwandan Moise Mugisha, who was riding for local outfit Skol Adrien Cycling Academy (SACA), finished second in both the ultimate stage and the general classification. He was 54 seconds behind Tesfazion. However, the 23-year old only crossed the finish line of the eighth stage 3 seconds Nippo–Delko Marseille rider Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego who used 2 hours, 33 minutes and 24 seconds to win the 89.3km stage in the capital. Eventual race winner Tesfazion, who was in Yellow Jersey since clinching Stage 4 on Wednesday, looked relaxed and cheerful as he finished in 9th position in the final stage. Mugisha, who was making his third Tour du Rwanda appearance, was the only Rwandan inside the top 10 of the 889km race, under eight stages, which had started last Sunday. On top the Yellow Jersey, Tesfazion also took home the jerseys for best African rider and best young rider, whereas compatriot Dawit Yemane was the best sprinter. Two jerseys for the best Rwandan and most combative riders went to Mugisha and Didier Munyaneza, respectively, while Estonian Rein Taaramae scooped the King of the Mountain (best climber) award. Debutant Italian side Androni Giocattoli topped the team classification ahead of runners-up Eritrea and French side Nippo–Delko Marseille who completed the podium.

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Eritrean Tesfazion crowned Tour du Rwanda champion