The 2016 Tour of Rwanda will visit the Kigali, Ngoma, Karongi, and Rusizi, with a rolling 108km on the last stage around Kigali Amahoro Stadium according to Rwandan Cycling Federation (FERWACY).
The full route of the seven stages covering a total distance of 818,7km was unveiled at the official presentation of the race at Classic Hotel in Kigali on Wednesday evening with a new route from Muhanga to Musanze covering a total distance of 125,8km with five mountain climbs.
This year’s 8th edition will start with a prologue covering a rolling 3,3 km of individual Time trial overlooking Kigali Amahoro Stadium with one road cross.
The first stage starts from Kigali-Kicukiro to Ngoma in the Eastern Province that will be the center stage when passing the home of Team Rwanda riders like veteran Abraham Ruhumuriza and renowned pro Dimension Data rider Adrien Niyonshuti.
Kigali fans around Kacyiru will also be entertained when the race shakes up stage 2 from Kigali Convention Center before finishing at Karongi in the 124, 7km offering last year’s yellow jersey winner Jean Bosco Nsengimana a perfect 6 mountain climbs to show off his heroism in the national stripes.
The race will then quickly head to the Western region in Karongi with stage 3 meant for again climbing specialists Team Karisimbi rider Nsengimana who won this stage last year and Mekseb Debesay (Eri) Bike Aid who is also good at controlling the breakaways and attacks before enjoying a resting day in Rusizi on November Wednesday 16.
Stage four is hilly and difficulty since it’s the longest rout covering a distance of 140,7km from Rusizi yet ending up to the former lastest city of Rwanda-Huye (former Butare) home of the National University of Rwanda, and the stopover point en route to the nearby Nyanza Royal Palace.
Stage five is mountainous and tense starting with rapid descent from Muhanga and finishing at Musanze in the 125,8km distance, and perhaps suits Eritreans like: Meron Teshome, Amanuel Gebregziabher and The Eritrean German Team Bike Aid Debesay will be the riders to watch out for since Teshome won this stage last year.
Stage six has some brief climbs (4) since it runs from Musanze and will see the riders back to the capital city Kigali and finishing at Nyamirambo stadium after covering a distance of 103,9km. It will again host a spectacular finish since it will be perfect for a long breakaway, as the final overall contenders save their last drops of energy for the final tough stage in Kigali.
The riders will also enjoy the rest of stage seven with Team Rwanda fans no doubt hoping to celebrate when this year’s decisive stage heads around Kigali Amahoro Stadium when the riders face a vital 108 km distance.
It has been designed to help riders tempted to contest for sprints though it has some climbing sections, this stage could prove pivotal for all teams in the general classification since it offers a stunning promise of some unpredictable racing or perhaps a late change of race leadership.
The 2016 Tour of Rwanda winner will be celebrated in Kigali on the Sunday November 20.
Muhamudu Muhe
