Benediction Excel Energy rider Yves Nkurunziza on Saturday won the second part of the 2019 Cycling Cup dubbed ‘Tour de Kigali’ which saw cyclists race through the City of Kigali. The race is the second edition after the ‘Northern Challenge’ which was held last month as part of the Rwanda Cycling Cup. The competitors started at Intwari in Nyamirambo, before racing to Tapis Rouge through Nyakabanda, Kimisagara, Nyabugogo, Muhima, Yamaha, APACOPE, Gakiriro to Gitega. In the junior category, Jeremy Ngendahayo won the race after clocking 2 hours and 39 seconds. He was followed by Elysee Bikorikana who clocked 2 hours, 44 minutes and 32 seconds, Jean-Nepo Bigirimana used 2 hours, 44 minutes and 51 seconds. Nizeyimana Muhirwa and Jean-Bosco Hategekimana finished in 4th and 5th positions respectively. The women’s race was tightly contested and only micro seconds separated the top five. Genevieve Mukundente led the charge followed by Diane Ingabire and Valentine Nzayisenga. Claudette Nyirarukundo and Josiane Murekatete came fourth and fifth respectively. Yves Nkurunziza finished in pole position in the U-23 category and was followed by Shemu Nsengiyumva with Eric Manizabayo finishing in 3rd place. Veteran riders like Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Patrick Byukusenge, Jean-Bosco Nsengimana, Jean-Claude Nzafashwanayo, Mike Uwiduhaye and Jean-Damascène Ruberwa didn’t participate in the race because they are taking part in the Tour de la RDC. Meanwhile other riders like Rebus Uhiriwe Byiza, Didier Munyaneza and Bernabe Gahemba are in Japan for the upcoming Olympic Games. The Rwanda Cycling cup will return on September, 7 with the Rwamagana Circuit. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
