{"id":2000103733,"date":"2026-03-01T16:20:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T14:20:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/?p=2000103733"},"modified":"2026-03-02T09:31:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T07:31:37","slug":"kretschy-wins-tour-du-rwanda-2026-as-henok-mulubrhan-shines-in-stage-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/kretschy-wins-tour-du-rwanda-2026-as-henok-mulubrhan-shines-in-stage-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Kretschy wins Tour du Rwanda 2026 as Henok Mulubrhan shines in stage 8"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Riding for the NSN Development Team, Kretschy, competing in his third Tour du Rwanda, took the yellow jersey on Wednesday after finishing second in Stage 4 from Karongi to Rubavu. He held onto it with composure through the final stages, ultimately crossing the finish line 2 minutes and 8 seconds ahead of compatriot Johannes Adamietz of the Rembe | Rad-net team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
23-year-old German rider Moritz Kretschy is the overall winner at the 2026 edition of Tour du Rwanda.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With this win, Kretschy becomes the 16th rider to claim the Tour du Rwanda since 2009 and the third European champion, following Spanish rider Cristian Rodriguez in 2021 and Frenchman Fabien Doubey in 2025. Riders from nine countries, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Eritrea, Spain, Rwanda, South Africa, the USA, and Morocco, have now stood atop the podium in the race\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eritrea’s Henok Mulubrhan shines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The final stage also saw Eritrean star Henok Mulubrhan shine, claiming victory in Stage 8, an 83.8 km circuit around Kigali City. Mulubrhan, 26, who previously won the 2023 Tour du Rwanda, became the only African stage winner of this year\u2019s race. He last won a stage in 2025, taking the Rukomo-Kayonza segment and finishing second overall that year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Eritrean star Henok Mulubrhan secured victory in Stage 8, becoming the first African to win a stage in the 2026 Tour du Rwanda.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stage 8 featured an early break by Araya and Da Silva, before the peloton gradually reeled them in. Riders battled over the cobbled climbs of Kimihurura, including the iconic Kwa Mignonne, as teams pushed for positioning ahead of the final 35 km city loop through Nyabugogo, Kimisagara, Tapis Rouge, and Kwa Migonne, ending at KCC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brazilian rider Bruno Martins of Team Localiza took both the first- and second-category King of the Mountain points, while Aman Awet of Istanbul Team and Jermaine Zemke of Rembe also put in strong performances during the climbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the finish, Kretschy\u2019s dominance was clear, topping the general classification with a total time of 23:08:48, followed by Adamietz (+2:08) and Belgium\u2019s Duarte Marivoet (+2:32). Mulubrhan finished fourth in the GC, just 4 minutes 38 seconds behind Kretschy, highlighting his consistency and stage-winning power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage 8\u2019s top 10 finishers included Mulubrhan, Mauro Cuylits (BEL), Pau Marti Soriano (ESP), Even Yemane (ERI), Yafiet Mulugeta (ERI), Hodei Mu\u00f1oz Gabi\u00f1a (ESP), Eric Muhoza (RWA), Matteo Vanhuffel (BEL), Erazem Valjavec (SLO), and Oliver Mattheis (GER).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other notable performances included Brazilian Bruno Martins (Localiza), who took both the first- and second-category King of the Mountain points, and young Belgian rider Duarte Marivoet, who impressed as the best young rider. Eritrean Amaniel Desta was recognized as the best African rider and best young African rider, while Miguel Heidemann (REMBE | Rad-net) earned the title of best climber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rwandan riders also shone in the home race: Eric Muhoza was named best Rwandan in Stage 8, while Samuel Niyonkuru received recognition as the best Rwandan overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top honors and awards included:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Overall winner: Moritz Kretschy (GER, NSN Development Team)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Stage 8 winner: Henok Mulubrhan (ERI)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Best team: Lotto-Groupe Wanty<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Best sprinter: Henok Mulubrhan (ERI)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Best climber: Miguel Heidemann (REMBE | Rad-net)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Best young rider: Duarte Marivoet (BEL)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Best African rider: Amaniel Desta (ERI)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Best young African rider: Amaniel Desta (ERI)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Best Rwandan rider Stage 8: Eric Muhoza (RWA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Best Rwandan overall: Samuel Niyonkuru (RWA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Most time in the lead: Aman Awet (Istanbul Team)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 general classification (GC)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Moritz Kretschy (GER) \u2013 23:08:48<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Johannes Adamietz (GER) \u2013 +2:08<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Duarte Marivoet (BEL) \u2013 +2:32<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Amaniel Desta (ETH) \u2013 +3:13<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Jurgen Zomermaand (NED) \u2013 +4:13<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Henrique Ribeiro Bravo (BRA) \u2013 +4:21<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Matteo Vanhuffel (BEL) \u2013 +4:33<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Henrique Da Silva Avancini (BRA) \u2013 +4:33<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Oliver Mattheis (GER) \u2013 +4:35<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Henok Mulubrhan (ERI) \u2013 +4:38<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage 8 top 10 finishers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Henok Mulubrhan (ERI) \u2013 1:59:37<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Mauro Cuylits (BEL) \u2013 1:59:37<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Pau Marti Soriano (ESP) \u2013 1:59:38 (+0:01)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Even Yemane (ERI) \u2013 1:59:40 (+0:03)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Yafiet Mulugeta (ERI) \u2013 1:59:40 (+0:03)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Hodei Mu\u00f1oz Gabi\u00f1a (ESP) \u2013 1:59:40 (+0:03)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Eric Muhoza (RWA) \u2013 1:59:40 (+0:03)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Matteo Vanhuffel (BEL) \u2013 1:59:40 (+0:03)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Erazem Valjavec (SLO) \u2013 1:59:40 (+0:03)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Kretschy\u2019s overall victory and Mulubrhan\u2019s stage triumph, the 2026 Tour du Rwanda concluded as a showcase of international competition, tactical racing, and local fan enthusiasm across Kigali\u2019s streets and Rwanda\u2019s challenging terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Oliver Mattheis (GER) \u2013 1:59:40 (+0:03)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stage 8 of the Tour du Rwanda 2026<\/strong> took place in Kigali<\/strong> on Sunday, March 1, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

23-year-old German rider Moritz Kretschy secured the overall victory at the 2026 Tour du Rwanda on Sunday, capping off a thrilling eight-stage race dominated by strategic moves and high-intensity climbs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000103734,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[151,69],"byline":[192],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-2000103733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-editors-choice","tag-homehighlights","byline-wycliffe-nyamasege"],"bylines":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"contributors":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"featured_image":{"id":2000103734,"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MixCollage-01-Mar-2026-04-17-PM-537.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":600,"height":400,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MixCollage-01-Mar-2026-04-17-PM-537.jpg","width":150,"height":100},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MixCollage-01-Mar-2026-04-17-PM-537.jpg","width":300,"height":200},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MixCollage-01-Mar-2026-04-17-PM-537.jpg","width":600,"height":400},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MixCollage-01-Mar-2026-04-17-PM-537.jpg","width":600,"height":400},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MixCollage-01-Mar-2026-04-17-PM-537.jpg","width":600,"height":400}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000103733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2000103733"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000103733\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2000103761,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000103733\/revisions\/2000103761"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000103734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2000103733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2000103733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2000103733"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=2000103733"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=2000103733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}