The international cycling competition has started in Rwanda, the competition is fueling the dreams of new legends in this game that is now apparently loved and adored by many.
It is a game that has proven to be special for young people. On the first day 22-year-old Ethan Vernon won the first stage. He plays for Team Soudal-QuickStep, 25-year-old Mugisha Moïse became the first Rwandan to perform well, followed by Masengesho Vainqueur of 21 years behind him.
The first part of this race was held in Rwamagana, home of great players such as Ruhumuriza Abraham, Adrien Niyonshuti, Areruya Joseph and others. The second stage of the race began from Kigali to Gisagara.
While the current players continue to compete, the future players also continue to develop and grow their talents.
18-year-old Niyonkuru Emmanuel, plays for Kayonza Young Stars.
He says that he loves cycling to the extreme. He wants to become a professional, he wants to become a competitive athlete.
He said: “It’s a game I have loved ever since I was born, we live in the same neighborhood as Areruya (Joseph), this kind of game can change someone’s life in a good way. It is an opportunity for one to grow and maybe someday win Tour de France.”
It’s a dream Niyonkuru says she keeps striving for, doing a lot of proper training and always keeping his goals in mind.
19 year-old Umutesi Elyse from Rwamagana, currently playing in Les Amis Sportifs says that she has started participating in different cycling competitions, so she hopes that in the coming days she will be able and have the opportunity to compete at the international level.
She said, “I came from home, I just wanted to see how my fellow cyclists are doing. I love this game so much and I just want to reach their level one day.”
“I’m training hard, I love it so much and I won’t give up, I believe I’m going to reach their level.”
She has participated in competitions including Gisagara Race, Musanze Race, Nyanza Race and various others in the city of Kigali.
It is the same with 17-year-old Niyingenera, who plays for Les Amis Sportifs. He says he is deeply passionate about cyclism.
He testifies that once he understands that he needs to use a lot of energy, he strives to achieve his dream, and no one can stop him.
“I love cycling, I do all my workouts with all my heart, I’m strong, I’m confident,” he said.
It is the same with 17-year-old Nshimirimana Albertine, who is also the youngest member of this team.
She says that the secret to achieving his goals is to do a lot of training in this sport of cycling, because apart from being successful financially, there are also benefits such as being healthy and having physical strength.
She continued, “It’s something I consider to be a hobby that makes me happy but I would also like to participate in big competitions. I want to win.”
The Tour du Rwanda 2023 race will last one week, going through different regions of the country. Athletes will cover 1,129.9 kilometers over eight days.
