Manizabayo Eric was the best ranked Rwandan at the Tour de Limpopo on Wednesday in Polokwane, South Africa
Rwanda’s first ever Continental Team, Benediction Excel Energy rider Eric Manizabayo finished 24th in the opening stage of the 2019 edition of the Tour de Limpopo which started today on Wednesday in Polokwane, South Africa.
Defending champion Gustav Basson won the opening Tour de Limpopo stage with Alexander Konychev (Dimension Data Continental) finishing second while Marc Pritzen (Office Guru) came third.
Rwanda’s first ever Continental Team, Benediction Excel Energy which is eyeing a yellow jersey at the 2019 Tour de Limpopo, a four-day UCI Africa Tour 2.2 stage race had its riders posting mixed results.
Besides Manizabayo and another Rwandan Samuel Mugisha of Dimension Data Continental who finished 34th, Didier Munyaneza finished 36th in 4:08:36; Yves Nkurunziza finished 45th in 4:08:38; Bonaventure Uwizeyimana registered 54thfinish in 4:08:39; Jean Bosco Nsengimana finished 70th in 4:08:42 while Jean Claude Nzafashwanayo managed a 84th place finish in 4:34:12.
Action continues on Thursday where riders will undertake a 96.6km route from Polokwane to Tzaneen.
A total of 20 teams will take part in the four-day race, with a six-man roster each team, and three-member support crew.
The competition will have four stages, flagging off in Bela-Bela on May 15, and concluding on May 18 at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The third stage, on May 17, will be racing from Tzaneen to Coachman’s Climb (Mt. Agatha) with a steep climb and double points for KOM.
The fourth, and final, stage will come the following day from Tzaneen to Polokwane with 116km of distance where the finishing line will be at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
2019 Tour de Limpopo
Day 1 Results
1. Elite Gustav Basson (Team TEG Continental) 3:57:10
2. Alexander Konychev (Dimension Data Continental) 3:57:10
3. Marc Pritzen (Office Guru) 3:57:10
Selected Rwandan Athletes
24. Eric Manizabayo (Benediction Excel Energy) 4:07:17
34. Samuel Mugisha (Dimension Data Continental) 4:08:36
36. Didier Munyaneza (Benediction Excel Energy) 4:08:36
45. Yves Nkurunziza (Benediction Excel Energy) 4:08:38
54. Bonaventure Uwizeyimana (Benediction Excel Energy) 4:08:39
70. Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Benediction Excel Energy) 4:08:42
84. Jean Claude Nzafashwanayo (Benediction Excel Energy) 4:34:12
