Kretschy wins Tour du Rwanda 2026 as Henok Mulubrhan shines in stage 8

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.

23-year-old German rider Moritz Kretschy is the overall winner at the 2026 edition of Tour du Rwanda.

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’s history.

Eritrea’s Henok Mulubrhan shines

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’s race. He last won a stage in 2025, taking the Rukomo-Kayonza segment and finishing second overall that year.

**Eritrean star Henok Mulubrhan secured victory in Stage 8, becoming the first African to win a stage in the 2026 Tour du Rwanda.**

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.

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.

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

Stage 8’s top 10 finishers included Mulubrhan, Mauro Cuylits (BEL), Pau Marti Soriano (ESP), Even Yemane (ERI), Yafiet Mulugeta (ERI), Hodei Muñoz Gabiña (ESP), Eric Muhoza (RWA), Matteo Vanhuffel (BEL), Erazem Valjavec (SLO), and Oliver Mattheis (GER).

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.

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.

Top honors and awards included:

· Overall winner: Moritz Kretschy (GER, NSN Development Team)

· Stage 8 winner: Henok Mulubrhan (ERI)

· Best team: Lotto-Groupe Wanty

· Best sprinter: Henok Mulubrhan (ERI)

· Best climber: Miguel Heidemann (REMBE | Rad-net)

· Best young rider: Duarte Marivoet (BEL)

· Best African rider: Amaniel Desta (ERI)

· Best young African rider: Amaniel Desta (ERI)

· Best Rwandan rider Stage 8: Eric Muhoza (RWA)

· Best Rwandan overall: Samuel Niyonkuru (RWA)

· Most time in the lead: Aman Awet (Istanbul Team)

Top 10 general classification (GC)

1. Moritz Kretschy (GER) – 23:08:48

2. Johannes Adamietz (GER) – +2:08

3. Duarte Marivoet (BEL) – +2:32

4. Amaniel Desta (ETH) – +3:13

5. Jurgen Zomermaand (NED) – +4:13

6. Henrique Ribeiro Bravo (BRA) – +4:21

7. Matteo Vanhuffel (BEL) – +4:33

8. Henrique Da Silva Avancini (BRA) – +4:33

9. Oliver Mattheis (GER) – +4:35

10. Henok Mulubrhan (ERI) – +4:38

Stage 8 top 10 finishers

1. Henok Mulubrhan (ERI) – 1:59:37

2. Mauro Cuylits (BEL) – 1:59:37

3. Pau Marti Soriano (ESP) – 1:59:38 (+0:01)

4. Even Yemane (ERI) – 1:59:40 (+0:03)

5. Yafiet Mulugeta (ERI) – 1:59:40 (+0:03)

6. Hodei Muñoz Gabiña (ESP) – 1:59:40 (+0:03)

7. Eric Muhoza (RWA) – 1:59:40 (+0:03)

8. Matteo Vanhuffel (BEL) – 1:59:40 (+0:03)

9. Erazem Valjavec (SLO) – 1:59:40 (+0:03)

With Kretschy’s overall victory and Mulubrhan’s stage triumph, the 2026 Tour du Rwanda concluded as a showcase of international competition, tactical racing, and local fan enthusiasm across Kigali’s streets and Rwanda’s challenging terrain.

10. Oliver Mattheis (GER) – 1:59:40 (+0:03)