American rider Timothy Rugg (Team LowestRates from Canada) pops champagne on his victory yesterday. / Faustin Niyigena
Top Ten
1. Timothy Rugg – Team LowestRates 04’00”25
2. Aman Werkilul Ghebreigzabhier – Dimension Data for Qhubeka 04’03”10
3. Joseph Areruya – Les Amis Sportifs 04’03”95
4. Guillaume Boivin – Cycling Academy team 04’04”32
5. Jean-Bosco Nsengimana – Stradalli-Bike Aid 04’04”63
6. Valens Ndayisenga – Dimension Data for Qhubeka 04’05”57
7. Mebrahtu Temesgen Buru – Ethiopia 0409”59
8. Brett Wachtendorf – Team LowestRates 04’10”48
9. Joseph Biziyaremye – Team Rwanda 04’10”48
10. Patrick Byukusenge – Club Benediction 04’10”50
Other Rwandans
13. Bonaventure Uwizeyimana – Dimension Data for Qhubeka 04’10”92
16. Samuel Mugisha – Club Benediction 04’11”63
26. Gasore Hategeka – Team Rwanda 04’15”61
33. Jean-Claude Uwizeye – Les Amis Sportifs 04’18”96
34. Nathan Byukusenge – Team Rwanda 04’19”13
46. Jérémie Karegeya – Club Benediction 04’25”32
50. Samuel Hakiruwizeye – Les Amis Sportifs 04’26”45
51. Eric Nduwayo – Team Rwanda 04’26”79
54. Jean Ruberwa – Club Benediction 04’27”63
59. Abraham Ruhumuriza – Team Rwanda 04’29”68
64. Ephrem Tuyishime Les Amis Sportifs 04’34”03
70. Alex Nizeyimana – Club Benediction 04’37”15
71. Mathieu Twizerane – Les Amis Sportifs 04’37”40
Timothy Rugg of Canada’s Team LowestRates has won the 3.3km prologue of the 8th edition of Tour du Rwanda that took place yesterday around the Amahoro National Stadium in Remera, Kigali.
The American rider shocked the thousands of spectators that waited at the finish line clinching victory after posting four minutes and 25 microseconds, sending a clear message to his competitors on what they are likely to face in the upcoming seven stages, starting today.
Rugg beat his closest rival, Eritrean Aman Werkilul Ghebreigzabhier, who’s riding for South Africa’s Dimension Data for Qhubeka (04’03”10).
Rwandan Joseph Areruya, riding for Rwamagana-based Les Amis Sportif, finished in the third place after using four minutes, three minutes and ninety-five microseconds.
Defending champion and prologue record holder, Jean Bosco Nsengimana, riding for his German UCI Continental Team Stradalli Bike Aid, finished in fifth clocking 04’04”32.
In the sixth place was the 2014 champion Valens Ndayisenga, one of the cyclists tipped to shine in this year’s race. The Dimension Data for Qhubeka rider posted a time of 04’05”57.
On Monday, the riders will hit the road as they embark on 2016 Tour du Rwanda’s stage one, starting from Kicukiro to Ngoma in the Eastern Province, a 96.8km race.
After winning the prologue and wearing the yellow jersey heading into stage one, 30-year old Rugg couldn’t hide his delight. “This is amazing, I didn’t expect to win today because, at first, I thought that it would rain and the streets would get slippery.”
Best Young Rider, Eritrean Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (riding for Dimension Data for Qhubeka of South Africa) won himself the Soras jersey during the prologue.
/ Faustin Niyigena
“But I just gave everything I could and can’t believe it was enough to give me the win, I am so happy and we hope to take this momentum to the upcoming stages, starting with stage one tomorrow (today),” Rugg told Times Sport shortly after winning the prologue.
Cycling fans look on as a rider pedals past University of Rwanda’s College of Education in Kimironko.
/ Faustin Niyigena
Apart from the yellow jersey, Rugg also took Skol jersey of the winner of stage and US$340 in cash prize. The top 20 riders in the prologue shared a total cash prize of US$910.
First runner-up Aman Werkilul Ghebreigzabhier, 22, was given the SORAS and RwandAir jerseys for the best young and African rider, while Areruya claimed RDB jersey as the best Rwandan rider.
Source: The New Times