Rwandan riders eye yellow jersey in Tour du Cameroon

Team Rwanda cyclists start bid for glory at the 13th Tour du Cameroon on Saturday morning. The UCI 2.2 category annual race will run from today through to March 20, going across the West African country.

Today in stage one, riders will race from Ayos to Yaoundé, a total distance of 128km. Captained by veteran Abraham Ruhumuriza, Team Rwanda also includes Camera Hakuzimana, Gasore Hategeka, Ephrem Tuyishime, Matheiu Twizerana and Eric Nduwayo.

Last year, Emile Bintunimana finished third in general classification, Hakuzimana finished third in U23 category, while Rwanda finished top in team classification. Clovis Kamzong of Cameroon won the race whereas Rasmane Quedraogo, from Burkina Faso, finished second.

From the team that competed at the 12th edition, only Ruhumuriza and Hakuzimana made it to this year’s team.

The team left the country on Tuesday afternoon accompanied by head coach Felix Sempoma, mechanic Issa Ntibituye, and physiotherapist Innocent Uwamungu.

Race route

Stage 1: Ayos – Yaoundé (128km)

Stage 2: Pouma – Kribi (153km)

Stage 3: Kribi – Douala (173km)

Stage 4: Douala – Douala (103.2km)

Stage 5: Douala – Kumba (120km)

Stage 6: Mbaga – Mbafang (122km)

Stage 7: Bafoussam – Bafoussam (101km)

Stage 8: Bafia – Yaou (121km)