Tour du Rwanda 2023 so far stands out as a spectacular race with long climbs during most of the entire eight-stage cycling test which cover 1,129.9 kilometers.
The 15th edition of the race, which is underway from February 19-26, itself features, as usual, plenty of climbing. In addition, racing in Rwanda means competition at high altitude, making the race even harder and outstandingly unpredictable to win. You better ride aggressively but with strong supporting teammates at your back.
The elevation and the altitude make the race super difficult. Local riders, who were perfectly adapted to the circumstances, never race super aggressively, supported by their fellow countrymen.
The whole cycling community is eager to witness exciting scenes and moments that the race continues to produce across each street where riders pass, making it one of the biggest factors that shows the beauty of the showpiece over the past decade, or so.
Tour du Rwanda is already going beyond just a competition as the government is already venturing into using the franchise to showcase what its tourism and hospitality can offer through its ‘Visit Rwanda’ initiative.
The country has over the past years made a difference in promoting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) Tourism as one of the drivers of its economic growth.
This has, as a result, attracted a big number of international events, sports events inclusive, coming to be held in Rwanda.
Thanks to this, Rwanda was in September 2021 handed the rights to host the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, outbidding Morocco in the process.
Tour du Rwanda 2023, a race like never before
It has fast grown in popularity both at home and abroad attracting competitive riders and teams from across Africa, Europe, Americas and elsewhere around the world.
This year’s race was characterized by unending competition, fighting spirit, crazy cross-line sprints and pace as riders continue to exchange the yellow jersey stage after stage.
The Yellow jersey remains up in the air since four various riders have so far donned it over the past five stages. Ethan Vernon became the first yellow jersey holder after winning the first two stages before Eritrean Henok Mulueberhane won stage three to take it away from the Briton.
But Mulueberhane’s lead only took hours until French rider Thomas Bonnet emerged victorious for Stage Four and went on to claim the yellow jersey on Wednesday.
The coveted jersey is now in the hands of William Junior Lecerf who claimed it on Thursday despite losing stage five to Callum Ormiston after he put up a stunning solo sprint to clinch the 195.5 kilometre stage to Rubavu.
It’s game on as riders take Stage Six to Gicumbi from Rubavu and Lecerf would love to maintain his lead till the last day of the race even if he doesn’t win a single stage, just like he did over the past five stages.