The second stage that reached Rubavu today on the Lake Kivu offered the victory to Simon Pellaud who is the first Swiss to win a stage of the Tour du Rwanda.
The rider of the US Team Illuminate managed to escape in the last 30 kilometers while the Rwandans had launched the big offensive with all leaders, Jean-Bosco Nsengimana and Valens Ndayisenga the last two winners of the race but also Joseph Areruya the yellow jersey since the first stage.
“When I came back to Nsengimana I asked him to follow me,” said Simon Pellaud after his victory. I wanted only the stage victory and it would have allowed him to take the yellow jersey. But I think he had no more strength in the legs, so I continued alone. ”
The Swiss showed all his talent in the downhill where nothing could stop him, not even the rain that had made its appearance in the last part of the stage.
He arrived with 1’30” ahead of his first rivals and took the opportunity to take the yellow leader’s jersey. “I know that it will be difficult for me to keep it because Rwandans will want to return to power. But I’m already very happy with my win today. ”
It was his first international victory, having previously won the Swiss National Championship U23. Simon Pellaud showed his experience, after riding by the Swiss Team of World Tour IAM with which he participated until 2016 in the biggest races of the calendar.
He joined the United States this year where the Illuminate team offered him a second chance. But tomorrow when the Tour du Rwanda will arrive in Musanze the place of the training center where are trained the riders of the country, the public expect to attend the Rwandans revenge.
