Rubavu’s Benediction cycling club rider Munyaneza Didier won the opening serie of the fourth edition of Rwanda Cycling Cup, Memorial Lambert Byemayire staged on Saturday.
The Memorial Lambert Byemayire saw cyclists riding 158km distance from Kigali to Huye on Saturday.
The Memorial Lambert, named in honor of the former Rwanda Cycling Federation’s vice president Lambert Byemayire,was the first of a selection of 11 long distance and challenging races up and down Rwanda.
Munyaneza clocked four hours, fourteen minutes and thirty eight seconds to win the opening leg of the rigorous Rwanda Cycling Cup which has a total of 11 series.
The Team Rwanda rider led a 1-2-3 finish as Benediction club won the elite men category with Twizeyimana Bonaventure and Byukusenge Patrick finising second and third respectively in4h15’09 and 4h15’15 respectively.
In the women category, Muhazi Cycling club rider Irakoze Violette came ahead as she clocked2h33’03 over 81km distance.
Benediction duo of Tuyishimire Jacqueline and Ndaysienga Valentine finished in second and third slots, clocking 2h33’03 and 2h33’08.
In the junior boys’ category, it was still dominated by Benediction as Nzafashwanayo Jean Claude and Muhawenimana Jean Claude clocked a joint 2h27’37 to come ahead of Amis Sportif rider Mugisha Albert who finished third in 2h30’38.
Following the climax of the Memorial Lambert Byemayire, riders will now take time to prepare for the Farmers’ Circuit (Kayonza – Gicumbi) scheduled to be held on May 19, 2018.
Now in its fourth edition, Rwanda Cycling Cup will once again showcase some of Rwanda’s best riders and teams going head to head with young riders competing against the country’s top cyclists.
The 2018 series will climax with a circuit in Kigali on December 15.
Memorial Lambert Byemayire (Kigali-Huye)
Men Elite category (158km)
- Munyaneza Didier (Benediction)4h14’38
- Twizeyimana Bonaventure (Benediction)4h15’09
- ByukusengePatrick (Benediction) 4h15’15
Women (81km)
- Irakoze Violette (Muhazi Cycling)2h33’03
2.Tuyishimire Jacqueline (Benediction) 2h33’03
3. Ndaysienga Valentine (Benediction)2h33’08
Junior Boys’ Category (92km)
- Nzafashwanayo Jean Claude (Benediction)2h27’37
- Muhawenimana Jean Claude (Benediction)2h27’37
- Mugisha Albert (Amis Sportif)2h30’38
2018 Cycling Cup dates:
24/03/2018: Memorial Lambert Byemayire (Kigali – Huye + Circuit)
19/05/2018: Farmers’ Circuit (Kayonza – Gicumbi)
09/06/2018: Race to Remember
23/06/2018: National Championships – (ITT/Nyamata)
24/06/2018: National Championships – Road Race
07/07/2018: Race for Culture (Nyanza – Rwamagana + Circuit)
21/07/2018: Tour du Rwanda Preparation Races
22/07/07/2018: Tour du Rwanda Preparation Races
06/10/2018: Kivu Race (Musanze – Rubavu + Circuit)
28/10/2018: Karongi Challenge (Karongi – Karongi (Circuit))
10/11/2018: Central Race (Kigali – Musanze – Muhanga)
15/12/2018: Rwanda Cycling Cup 2018 Closing race (Kigali – Kigali (Circuit)