Saturday Stage 7 – Prologue (4.5km) Friday (Stage 6) Select results 1. Valencia Restrepo (Androni) – 3:09:32 2. Patrick Schelling (Israel) – 3:09:32 3. Carlos Quintero (Terengganu) – 3:09:32 8. Moise Mugisha (SACA) – 3:11:15 11. Eric Manizabayo (Benediction) – 3:12:15 12. Samuel Mugisha (Rwanda) – 3:12:15 13. Joseph Areruya (Rwanda) – 3:12:17 General Classification 1. Natnael Tesfazion – 20:31:59 2. Moise Mugisha – 20:33:07 3. Carlos Quintero – 20:34:06 4. Patrick Schelling – 20:34:09 5. Main Kent – 20:34:20 8. Joseph Areruya – 20:35:51 13. Eric Manizabayo – 20:37:38 17. Samuel Mugisha – 20:42:32 59. Bosco Nsengimana – 21:39:54 MOISE Mugisha will be hoping for Natnael Tesfazion collapse on Saturday as Tour du Rwanda 2020 returns to the capital for the final two stages. Mugisha, 22, is second in the general classification, 68 seconds behind Yellow Jersey bearer Tesfazion of the Eritrean national team. Making his third Tour du Rwanda appearance, Mugisha will be looking to cut the gap further in Saturday’s penultimate Stage 7, which is a short, yet gruesome, 4.5km prologue at the infamous ‘Mur de Kigali’, arguably the steepest cobble-stone street in Kigali. “The battle for the Yellow Jersey is still on,” tenacious Mugisha told Times Sport after Stage 6 in Muhanga District on Friday. “I know how difficult it is, but I will keep faith and do my best in the remaining two stages.” The reigning African champion in U-23 men’s road race is bidding to become the fifth Rwandan to clinch the coveted Yellow Jersey in seven editions, and the first since the race upgraded from 2.2 to UCI 2.1 category last year. Meanwhile, the Tour du Rwanda 2017 champion Joseph Areruya, who has struggled to live up to expectations or challenge pace-setting Eritreans, has slipped to eighth overall at 3:52 off Tesfazion and over two minutes behind compatriot Mugisha. Dominant Restrepo In the meantime, Colombian Valencia Jhonatan Restrepo has made a name for himself in this year’s race as an unstoppable sprinter following his Stage 6 win on Friday, and the third victory overall. The 25-year old, representing Italian side Androni Giocatolli, started his rampage with Stage 3 in Rusizi on Tuesday before adding Stage 5 in Musanze on Thursday. The former Katusha – World Tour team – rider is the only man with more than one stage win in the eight-stage race that concludes Sunday with the ultimate circuit Stage 8 across Kigali. No Rwandan has been able to win a Tour du Rwanda stage in the last two stages. After six stages, Yellow Jersey Tesfazion also doubles as the best African and best young rider, compatriot Dawit Yamane tops the best sprinters table, Chilean Carlos Oyarzun is the leading climber, while Israeli Patrick Schelling is the most combative rider. Race debutants Androni Giocatolli (Italy) top the team classification ahead Eritrea and French side Nippo–Delko Marseille. Home riders have generally struggled to impress this year, especially Team Rwanda that comprises three former winners of the Tour du Rwanda. / Courtesy. Moise Mugisha, seen here in Rubavu before starting Stage 5 on Thursday, looks to become the first Rwandan to Tour du Rwanda since its upgrade to 2.1 category last year. . Mugisha (third, in purple) is racing Tour du Rwanda for a third consecutive time since his 2018 debut. Of the total 80 riders who started the race on Sunday, 13 have dropped. Saturday’s Individual Time Trial (prologue) will have an entry-list of 67 riders.
