Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) in partnership with the German Society for International Cooperation (Gesellschaft Internationale Zusammenarbeit) GIZ have organized a special promotion of the Kivu Belt region during Tour du Rwanda 2019, which is scheduled to run from February 24 through March 3. “We would like to announce to the general public that this year’s Tour du Rwanda will include promotion of Kivu Belt region tourism,” Ferwacy Secretary General, Toussait Gahitsi said during a press conference on Thursday. The purpose of this promotion is to help the Kivu Belt region residents benefit from the visit of those participating in Tour du Rwanda namely racers, organizers and fans. Kivu Belt region has several tourist attractions like the Lake Kivu, museum, tea plantations, hills and many among others. It would be an excellent opportunity to showcase them to the tour participants. “We need to promote our culture during the Tour du Rwanda so we have started this initiative and hope the future will even be better,” he added The promotion is scheduled on Feb, 27 and 28 in Rubavu, Karongi and Musanze with activities like Ride along, Finish line hospitality, and Beach festival and cultural experiences. Amateur cyclists will be encouraged to ride on some of the routes that will be used during the tour du Rwanda before the professional riders hit the road for the race. The activity will take place on the stages Rubavu-Karongi & Karongi Musanze. There is also a provision for VIP tourists who can pay to watch the arrival of riders at the finish line from the Ferwacy VIP tent. The Beach Festival includes an exhibition of hand crafts and other tourism products, traditional music dancers, food and drinks at the beach in Rubavu the afternoon of 26th Feb. The participants will visit different places in Karongi and Rubavu to experience the life of those living in Kivu belt region and its attractions. Unlike in the last ten years when Rwanda used to be represented by three teams, this time around, the hosts will field just two teams – the national team (Team Rwanda) and Benediction Cycling Club, who are in the process of registering as a UCI Continental Team – each with five riders. This will be the first time Tour du Rwanda is held as a 2.1 category race following its elevation last year. In total, the 16-team peloton will cover 959.1km over the course of eight days. Tour du Rwanda, which first became a UCI-Africa race in 2009, becomes a 2.1 race boasting seven stages and a prologue. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
