The race saw riders setting off from Kigali Car Free Zone to cross the finishing line in Gisagara District.
As it happened during the first stage in Rwamagana, Vernon made a break away from the peloton again shortly before arriving at the finishing line nearby Gisagara gymnasium.
He was followed by other riders including Henok Mulueberhan of Green Project Bardiani and Meijers Jeroen of Terengganu Cycling Polygon.
All riders between the 1st and 46th have clocked the same time as they crossed the finish in the same peloton.
Chris Froome, four-time champion of Tour de France emerged the 47th to cross the finishing line. He is 7 seconds behind the peloton.
Eric Muhoza riding for Bike Aid is the best performing Rwandan after becoming the 28th rider to cross the line while Samuel Niyonkuru of Team Rwanda emerged 30th. Eric Manizabayo arrived at the 34th place.
Tour du Rwanda 2023 will continue with the third stage on Tuesday 21st February where riders will cover 199.5 kilometers from Huye to Musanze.
The first stage of this year’s edition held for the 15th time saw riders setting off from Kigali Golf Resort & Villas to cross the finishing line in Rwamagana District.
Vernon emerged winner of the first stage held on Sunday 19th February 2023 after making a breakaway from the peloton in few meters before reaching the finishing line.
Emilien Jeannière riding for TotalEnergies emerged second followed by Mulueberhan Henok of Green Project Bardiani cycling team and Fiorelli Filipo from the same team.
This year’s race is the fifth edition since Tour du Rwanda was upgraded to UCI 2.1 category in 2019.
Moïse Mugisha riding for Team Rwanda, was the top performing Rwandan Munyarwanda where he was the 21st to cross the finishing line clocking the same time used by other riders in his peloton.
Other riders in the same peloton include Masengesho (Team Rwanda), Muhoza Eric (Bike Aid) and Bigirimana Jean Nepo (May Stars).
British national Chris Froome from Israel-Premier Tech participating in Tour du Rwanda for the first time emerged 44th.
Tour du Rwanda 2023 will continue on Monday 20th February 2023 with the second stage from Kigali Car Free Zone to Gisagara district covering 132.9 kilometers.
At 93 riders are participating in this year’s race.
Chris Froome, his teammates and representatives from the management of Israel Premier-Tech arrived at Kigali International Airport around 2:52 a.m on Thursday 16th February 2023.
Froome 37, is among legendary cyclists as he won seven Grand Tours: four editions of the Tour de France (in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017), one Giro d’Italia (2018) and the Vuelta a España twice (2011 and 2017). He has also won several other stage races, and the Vélo d’Or three times.
Upon arrival, Froome expressed delight to be in Rwanda for the first time.
“It is my first time here. I grew up not too far away, in Kenya. I am happy to be here and looking forward to the race this week,” he noted.
“I don’t really know what to expect in the race, I have never raced here before. I am expecting a fast and furious week racing. […] I am sure there is a lot of strong local talents and I am looking forward to getting to know some of those guys,” added Froome.
At least 100 riders from 20 teams are expected to participate in the race scheduled between 19th and 26th February 2023.
Froome confirmed his participation in Tour du Rwanda on 15th January 2023.
He will be riding for Israel Premier-Tech which is participating in Tour du Rwanda for the eighth time.
Froome was expected to participate in Tour du Rwanda 2022 but got a knee injury during preparations.
In 2019, he sustained serious injuries in a freak high-speed accident. At the time, the cyclist broke a leg, ribs and an elbow after colliding with a wall outside the town of Roanne in the Loire in France.
After leaving Team Ineos, Froome raced in Tour de France mu 2021 where he finished in 133rd place.
Israel Premier-Tech team landed in Kigali three days ahead of Tour du Rwanda 2023.
It has joined other teams that have already arrived in Rwanda to participate in the eight-day race.
These include TotalEnergies from France, Terengganu Polygon from Malaysie, Bike Aid from Germany, Soudal Quick-Step from Belgium and Bolton Equities Black Spoke from New Zealand which arrived in the morning of Wednesday 15th February 2023 as well as Tartu 2024 from Estonia which landed in Rwanda on 10th February to make enough preparations in Musanze.
The Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo confirmed that the man dubbed the King of Football died at 3.27pm local time “due to the failure of multiple organs, a result of the progression of colon cancer associated with his previous clinical condition.”
News of Pele’s passing was also confirmed in a message on his official Instagram account.
“Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele, who peacefully passed away today,” it read. “On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love. His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love, forever.”
Pele, whose given name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, had been hospitalized since late November for treatment of a respiratory infection and other cancer-related complications.
On December 21, his eldest daughter, Kely Cristina Nascimento, announced her father would spend Christmas in hospital because he required “more extensive care”.
Widely considered the greatest footballer of all time, Pele is the only player to win the World Cup three times, having lifted the sport’s most prestigious trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
His celebrated career included 732 goals in 792 games for club and country. His Brazil record of 77 international goals was equalled by Neymar in the South American team’s World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Croatia in early December.
In 2000, world football governing body FIFA declared Pele and Argentina’s Diego Maradona as joint winners of its award for the greatest player of the 20th century. He was also recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most important people of the last century.
Pele faced a series of health issues over the past decade, including problems related to his spine, hip, knee and kidneys. Last year, the former Santos and New York Cosmos star underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his colon.
Among those to pay tribute on Thursday afternoon was France forward Kylian Mbappe.
“The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten,” he wrote on Twitter. “RIP KING.”
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) described Pele as “the greatest idol of world football” and said the entity would observe seven days of official mourning.
“The idol’s death is the saddest news reported by the CBF since its founding 108 years ago,” it said in a statement.
CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues added: “I am deeply saddened by Pele’s departure. The CBF will pay all possible tributes to the greatest athlete of all time. Pele is eternal and we will always work to preserve his history and perpetuate his legacy.”
Neymar, currently Brazil’s best player and the team’s No. 10, dedicated a heartfelt message on social media alongside a photo of Pele wearing a crown.
“He turned football into art, into entertainment,” the forward wrote. “He gave a voice to the poor, to black people and, above all, he gave visibility to Brazil. Football and Brazil have raised their ‘status’ thanks to the King!.
“Before Pele, ’10’ was just a number. I read that phrase somewhere, at some point in my life. But that beautiful sentence is incomplete. I would say that before Pele, football was just a sport. Pele changed everything.”
Neymar’s Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Lionel Messi, also took to social media with a brief message alongside a series of images, including a photo in which he is embracing the Brazilian great.
Argentina led 2-0, only for two goals from Kylian Mbappe in 100 seconds to force extra time, where Messi scored again, only for Mbappe to again peg Argentina back.
Emiliano Martinez was then the savior, pulling off a vital save in the dying moments of extra time and saving a penalty in the shootout, to add his name to Argentina’s list of heroes.
France coach Didier Deschamps brought back central defender Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who had both recovered from a virus, while Angel Di Maria was back for Argentina, who played a flat back four, with Nicolas Tagliafico keeping his place at left back.
Argentina started strongly, with their midfield swamping the French, who struggled to get out of their half.
Alexis Mac Allister shot straight at Hugo Lloris in the fourth minute, before Rodrigo De Paul saw an effort deflected for a corner.
Di Maria was looking very lively, but should have done better than blaze over from De Paul’s pullback after Messi had put the midfielder in behind Theo Hernandez.
The winger did a lot better in the 21st minute, turning inside Ousmane Dembele, who then caught his heel. There wasn’t a lot of contact, but it was enough and the referee pointed to the spot.
Messi stepped up to calmly send Lloris the wrong way and net his sixth goal of the tournament.
Argentina continued their control and doubled their lead in the 36th after a magnificent team move that started with Messi and continued with Julian Alvarez, who fed a diagonal ball to the onrushing Mac Allister. Mac Allister looked up and sent in a low cross for Di Maria to slip past the exposed Lloris.
Deschamps responded with a double substitution, replacing Dembele and Giroud, both of whom were well below their best, with Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani.
It looked as if Deschamps’ team talk was to little effect as Argentina continued to control the second half, even if they were happy to sit a bit deeper.
It wasn’t until the 67th minute that France had a chance, with Kolo Muani heading wide following a corner. France looked dead and buried.
And then they were level.
In the 80th minute, Nicolas Otamendi’s clumsy challenge brought down Kolo Muani and Mbappe sent his spot kick just wide of Emiliano’s dive.
A minute later it was 2-2, France combined in the last third, Kingsley Coman chipped the ball to Mbappe, who did the rest, volleying past Emiliano as the ball dropped over his shoulder.
France stayed on top for most of the first period of extra time, but the best chance fell to Lautaro Martinez, who had just come on as a substitute, and perhaps for that he took an extra touch that allowed a defender to block.
Messi scored again in the 108th minute, firing just the line from close range after Lloris had saved Martinez’s volley, but incredibly Argentina’s celebrations were cut short in the 118th minute when Mbappe’s shot hit Gonzalo Montiel’s arm in the area and Mbappe completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
Kolo Muani should have won it for France but Emiliano stuck out a leg to pull off a providential save when the striker was through on goal.
He then saved Coman’s penalty and when Aurelien Tchouameni dragged his effort wide, it was time for Argentina and Messi’s celebrations to begin.
England booked a last-16 tie against Senegal with a comfortable 3-0 win over Wales at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha. Gareth Southgate’s side controlled the game for nearly the entire 90 minutes, but it was only in the second half they imposed their quality.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring in the 50th minute with a powerful free kick won by Phil Foden, before Foden himself added a second goal with a simple finish after a low cross from Harry Kane.
Rashford scored his second of the night after a powerful run, cutting inside and beating goalkeeper Danny Ward with a low shot. As well as being England’s third goal of the game, it was their 100th goal in the World Cup finals.
Christian Pulisic scored a first-half winner as the United States beat Iran to set up a round of 16 duel with the Netherlands.
Pulisic bundled home seven minutes before half-time after Sergino Dest’s header. The Chelsea forward clashed with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand as he scored and received treatment on the pitch before being replaced at halftime.
But Iran, who needed a draw to progress, registered just one shot on target as they were knocked out.
At Khalifa International Stadium, Ismaila Sarr and Kalidou Koulibaly scored either side of halftime as Senegal advanced beyond the group stage for the first time in 20 years with a 2-1 win over Ecuador.
Sarr converted a penalty on the stroke of halftime but Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo put his side on level terms with a close-range finish in the 67th minute.
Koulibaly wrested back the lead for Senegal by thumping home a first-time effort 20 minutes from time.
The result means Senegal finish second in Group A with six points from three matches. Ecuador miss out on a place in the last 16, having finished two points further back in third place.
In Tuesday’s other match, Cody Gakpo and Frenkie de Jong scored as the Netherlands beat Qatar 2-0, progressing to the next round as the Group A leaders with seven points.
Qatar became the first host side to lose all three group matches in the competition’s history.
Gakpo, who plays his club football for Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven, has now struck the first goal in all three of the Netherlands’ World Cup games in Qatar to date.
‘Gisaka Race’ that will see riders making laps in Kirehe District is scheduled on October 1, 2022.
It will attract the participation of 18 teams including Ferwacy members and continental teams among others.
It is planned that cyclists in the men’s category will cover a distance of 102.8 kilometers while girls and juniors will race for a distance of 87.7 kilometers. They will use the routes through Nyakarambi, Cyunuzi, and Rusumo areas.
‘Gisaka Race’ was mainly organized to increase the number of athletes participating in the competition and helping Kirehe District to showcase its natural beauty.
The Executive Director of Ferwacy, Alphonse Nkuranga, has told IGIHE that they decided to work with Kirehe District after proving that it has a big cycling fanbase.
“They also showed us that they have attractions in the district to be showcased as the race will be going on. There are rice fields, coffee plantations, where it is an opportunity to showcase the green Kirehe, the traditional, the traditional Imigongo patterns, there is an international border between Rwanda and Tanzania and hydro-electric plant under construction,” he said.
Nkuranga explained that the district can showcase all these attractions as cyclists will ride along them.
“Gisaka Race might be held every year in celebration of Patriotism Day, which is usually held on October 1st. This day reflects the time when the APR, the military wing of the RPF Inkotanyi, attacked the Kagitumba border under the leadership of Maj Gen Fred Gisa Rwigema, marking the start of Liberation Struggle,” he noted.
Nkuranga said that there will be talks that will lead to a permanent agreement.
Ferwacy has been in discussions for some time now with districts for the purpose of organizing monthly cycling competitions to raise new talents.
Apart from professionals, it is expected that residents aged 12-15 and others aged above 16 will be allowed to compete in the “Gisaka Race” using ordinary bikes.
The best young players will be recruited to join a new cycling team in Kirehe.
The athletes who will participate in this race will be given coffee as one of the crops cultivated in Kirehe. Awards yet to be announced will be given to top performers in the race.
Mugisha wins Tour du Cameroun clocking 26h34’24’’ after the eighth stage covering 1066.2 kilometers.
He was followed by Andreev Yordan of Team Martigues SC with 32- second lead and Artuce Jodele Tella riding for SNH Vélo Club with 33 seconds lead.
The last stage covering 151.4 kilometers on Sunday saw riders setting off from Ebolowa heading to Yaoundé. It was won by El Arbaoui Adil, a Moroccan who clocked 3h40’17″ with 18 seconds ahead of Moïse Mugisha.
Moïse Mugisha took the yellow jersey after the seventh stage where riders raced in the roads of Boumnyebel and Mbalmayo covering 112.6 kilometers.
44 riders from eight teams have finished the race held in Cameroun for the 18th time.
Moïse Mugisha was participating along with other Rwandans including Didier Munyaneza who emerged 7th on the general classification, Eric Muhoza who took the 12th position, Jean Claude Nzafashwanayo (25), Samuel Niyonkuru (27) and Etienne Tuyizere (33).
During a successful first year of the multi-year partnership and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the event showcased the country as a world-class tourism and investment destination and highlighted Africa’s growing sports industry. The inaugural season also brought to Kigali notable global personalities, former NBA players and legends to witness the historic inaugural season.
The second edition of the BAL, which started in March with stops in three countries, saw Dakar, Senegal host the Sahara conference, Cairo, Egypt hosting the Nile conference. The season will finish off in Kigali with an eight-game Playoffs and the Finals.
Through the partnership, Visit Rwanda branding is being prominently displayed, and the best of what the country has to offer is being broadcasted on channels such as ESPN to thousands of basketball and sports fans across the world. In addition, this season will see The BAL and RDB collaborate on youth development and social responsibility initiatives in Kigali on the sidelines of the playoffs.
The two partners organized a media event attended by over 20 journalists from various countries at the Dr Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo, Egypt. They touched on the impact of the partnership, the upcoming Playoffs and what to expect when in Kigali in May.
Commenting on the development, Basketball Africa League President Amadou Gallo Fall said: “As we set to return to the world-class Kigali arena to play our second consecutive BAL final, teaming up with RDB and Visit Rwanda reflects our belief that sport, and basketball, can be an economic growth engine for the continent. Rwanda continues to lead the way for tourism in Africa, and this partnership highlights an African continent that is creative, vibrant, and ready to tell its story.”
Speaking during the media briefing Rwanda’s Ambassador to Egypt, Albert Kalisa, highlighted that sports and tourism are important to Rwandans at all levels.
“We have the responsibility to ensure Rwandans continue to take pride in their culture and in all sports engagements, like the BAL, that uplift our nation. We are very happy to see The BAL returning home to Rwanda for the second time, and we look forward to welcoming all visitors to Kigali in May,” he noted.
Eight teams from across the continent, including Rwanda’s Rwanda Energy Group (REG), who topped the Sahara Conference in Dakar, Senegal, will compete in the Playoffs. The Kigali Arena will host all the Playoffs games, with the second edition of the finals taking place Saturday, 28 May.
Karl Platt and Habimana Jean Eric won the fourth stage clocking 2 hours 36 minutes and 17 seconds.
Kenyan Suleiman Kangangi riding for Giant was the first to arrive at the finishing line in front of Palm Beach Hotel followed by Habimana Jean Eric who teamed up with German Karl Platt.
The last stage saw the duo leading the race on the general classification with 8 hours 22 minutes and 55 seconds. They were 38 minutes ahead of Daniel Gathof and Renay Groustra who took the second position.
Karl Platt, 43, was participating in Rwandan Epic for the first time. He revealed that it was an amazing experience to take part in the race noting that he enjoyed wonderful sojourn in Rwanda where he plans to return.
“It was an amazing tournament. I enjoyed wonderful moments throughout the race’s route along with Jean Eric. I will come back to Rwanda because I have got many friends,” he said.
In the category of women, Leone Verster and Catherine Colyn have won the last stage clocking 3 hours 54 minutes and 8 seconds while Umwamikazi Jazilla and Nirere Xaverine clocked 5 hours 34 minutes and 22 seconds.
On the general classification, Leone Verster and Catherine Colyn led the race with 12 hours 39 minutes and 29 seconds. They are five hours ahead of next rivals.
In the mixed category, Jennifer Wagouman and Daniel Klemmer registered 5 hours 37 minutes and 6 seconds. They led the race in the category with 17 hours 43 minutes and 53 seconds.
The last stage of the tournament attracted more 11 riders from different countries.
Jakob Schule was the first among racers who joined on the last day registering 2 hours 57 minutes and 55 seconds.
His rivals include Reno Ziondato, Evan Meyers, Pelden Dorji, Arthur Franzon, Alexander Lamberts, Didier, Habiyambere Olivier, Neza Violette, Paulo van der Ven and Arjan Sleurink.
The ceremony to handover prizes to winners was also graced by the mayor of Rubavu district, Ildephonse Kambogo.
Sponsors of Rwandan Epic 2022 include Amstel, Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), Winnaz, Radisson Blu Hotel & Kigali Convention Centre, Trans Link, Qoryx Energy, Peloton de Paris and SunRace among others.
The organizer of the just concluded international tournament, Rwanda Alternative Riding Events (RaR) is making preparations for another tournament dubbed “Race Around Rwanda” to be held on 19th March 2022 and “Gorilla Gravel” to be held between 9th and 12th June 2022.
{{Stage four classification of Rwandan Epic 2022:}}
{{Men}}
1. Karl Platt & Habimana Jean Eric: 2h36’17”
2. Daniel Gathof & Renay Groustra: 2h48’38”
3. Suleiman Kangangi & Mael Desrieux: 2h55’45”
4. Mitch Elliot: 2h58’10”
5. Josh Ibbett & Ruberwa Jean: 2h59’05”
6. Kwizera Elie & Uwitonze Edouard: 3h06’38”
7. Marc Schut & Rhys Manners: 3h13’57”
8. Nduwayo Eric & Nkurunziza Yves: 3h15’44”
9. David Caroll & Niringiyimana Ramadhan: 3h41’40”
10. Ishimwe Jean Claude & Nshutiraguma Kevin: 4h18’56”
{{Women}}
1. Leone Verster & Catherine Colyn: 3h54’08”
2. Umwamikazi Jazilla & Nirere Xaverine: 5h34’22”
{{Mixed category}}
1. Jennifer Wagouman & Daniel Klemmer: 5h37’06”
{{General classification:}}
{{Men}}
1. Karl Platt & Habimana Jean Eric: 8h22’55”
2. Daniel Gathof & Renay Groustra: 8h54’50”
3. Suleiman Kangangi & Mael Desrieux: 9h26’46”
4. Josh Ibbett & Ruberwa Jean: 9h57’58”
5. Kwizera Elie & Uwitonze Edouard: 10h53’18”
6. Marc Schut & Rhys Manners: 11h05’52”
7. David Caroll & Niringiyimana Ramadhan: 12h03’41”
