{"id":57120,"date":"2026-02-08T16:06:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T16:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/patrick-byukusenge-wins-amahoro-criterium-in-tour-du-rwanda-build-up\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T12:39:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T12:39:04","slug":"patrick-byukusenge-wins-amahoro-criterium-in-tour-du-rwanda-build-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/patrick-byukusenge-wins-amahoro-criterium-in-tour-du-rwanda-build-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Patrick Byukusenge wins Amahoro Criterium in Tour du Rwanda build-up"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The 18th edition of the Tour du Rwanda is scheduled to take place from February 22 to March 1, 2026, across several districts of the country.<\/p>\n<p>With two weeks remaining before the international race begins, the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) organised the Amahoro Criterium for the second consecutive year, following its debut in 2025, as part of efforts to evaluate riders\u2019 form and race fitness.<\/p>\n<p>The event brought together elite and under-23 male riders from various teams, including four Rwandan outfits set to compete in the Tour du Rwanda: Team Rwanda, May Stars, Team Amani, and Benediction Banaafrica Team.<\/p>\n<p>A total of 54 riders lined up for the race, which started and finished at the Amahoro Stadium (Migina). The 3.9-kilometre circuit, passing through Contr\u00f4le Technique, kwa Rwahama, and Airtel, was covered over 12 laps.<\/p>\n<p>Byukusenge crossed the line first in 1 hour and 15 seconds, finishing three seconds ahead of \u00c9tienne Tuyizere (Team Rwanda) and J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Ngendahayo (May Stars).<\/p>\n<p>Nsengiyumva Shemu and Shadrack Ufitimana, both of Team Rwanda, completed the top five. Vainqueur Masengesho placed sixth to finish as the best rider from Benediction Banaafrica Team, while Samuel Niyonkuru of Team Amani finished 13th.<\/p>\n<p>Reacting to his victory, Byukusenge said the result reflected the team\u2019s solid preparation ahead of the Tour du Rwanda.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was a good race. We have been preparing for some time and have spent over a month in camp. Winning doesn\u2019t come as a surprise because we prepared well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He added that the team is aiming for an improved performance compared to last year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are confident we will perform better than last year. Our showing at the Tour of Sharjah demonstrated that we are in good condition.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In the under-23 category, Shadrack Ufitimana emerged the winner, followed by Kevin Nshutiraguma, both from Team Rwanda, while Aim\u00e9 Ruhumuriza of May Stars finished third.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101844 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_24_am-08574.jpg\" alt=\"Riders prepare to start the race outside Amahoro Stadium.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101843 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_23_am_1_-f0c95.jpg\" alt=\"FERWACY President Samson Ndayishimiye flagged off the race alongside First Vice President Bigango Valentin and Secretary General Ruyonza Arlette.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101842 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_14_am-b696f.jpg\" alt=\"Mo\u00efse Mugisha, Samuel Niyonkuru and Eric Manizabayo ride together during the opening lap.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101841 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_14_am_1_-d4b69.jpg\" alt=\"The leading riders took turns at the front of the race.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101840 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_15_am_1_-d86c9.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101839 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_15_am-260c1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101838 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_16_am_1_-fcee4.jpg\" alt=\"Except for a few leading the race, most riders rode together in a peloton. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101837 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_16_am-03951.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101836 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_18_am-02712.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101835 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_17_am_1_-51d16.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101834 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_19_am_1_-fd641.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101833 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_19_am-6ca9a.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101832 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_11.55_20_am-b49e8.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101831 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_12.00_49_pm_2_-ca6f6.jpg\" alt=\"With two laps remaining, Patrick Byukusenge pulled ahead to win the race.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101830 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_12.00_49_pm_1_-c004c.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101829 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_12.00_49_pm_4_-381a2.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101828 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_12.00_50_pm-f6bd0.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101827 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_1.20_18_pm_1_-3862d.jpg\" alt=\"Valentin Bigango (FERWACY First Vice President, left) and Samuel Ntihanabayo (Gin Ltd CEO, right) reward top male performers.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101826 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_1.20_15_pm_1_-a815d.jpg\" alt=\"Patrick Byukusenge (center), Etienne Tuyizere (left) and J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Ngendahayo finish in the top three.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101825 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_1.20_20_pm_1_-9fe6b.jpg\" alt=\"Top-performing riders in the under-23 category.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101824 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_1.20_24_pm-df804.jpg\" alt=\"Top under-23 riders: Shadrack Ufitimana (center), Kevin Nshutiraguma (left) and Aime Ruhumuriza (right).\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101823 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2026-02-08_at_1.20_16_pm-4099e.jpg\" alt=\"The medalists of the second Amahoro Criterium pose for a group photo.\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Patrick Byukusenge of Team Rwanda claimed victory in the Amahoro Criterium, a preparatory race organised on Sunday, February 8, to assess riders\u2019 readiness ahead of the Tour du Rwanda 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000101845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[75],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-57120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-homenews","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default 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