Tour du Rwanda
{{Short description|Rwandan multi-day road cycling race}}
{{Infobox cycling race
| date = February-March
| name = Tour du Rwanda
| current_event =
| image =
| region = Rwanda
| english =
| localnames =
| nickname =
| discipline = Road
| competition = UCI Africa Tour
| type = 2.1
| organiser = Rwanda Cycling Federation
| site web = [http://www.tourdurwanda.rw/ Official website]
| director =
| first = {{start date and age|1988}}
| number = 28 (as of 2025)
| last =
| firstwinner = {{flagathlete|Célestin Ndengeyingoma|RWA}}
| mostwins = {{flagathlete|Abraham Ruhumuriza|RWA}} (5 wins)
| mostrecent = {{flagathlete|Fabien Doubey|FRA}}
}}
The Tour du Rwanda is a cycling race started in 1988 and based in Rwanda. Until 2008, TOUR DU RWANDA was a regional cycling race that brought together Rwandans but also riders from neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda. The race is a cycling stage race that is organized by the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY). The event has been part of the UCI Africa Tour as a category 2.1-rated event since 2009.
Winners
{{Cycling past winner start}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=1988|name={{sortname|Célestin|N'Dengeyingoma}}|nat=RWA|natvar=1962|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=1989|name={{sortname|Omar|Masumbuko}}|nat=RWA|natvar=1962|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=1990|name={{sortname|Faustin|M'Parabanyi}}|nat=RWA|natvar=1962|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner no race|year=1991–
2000}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2001|name={{sortname|Bernard|N'Sengiyumva}}|nat=RWA|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2002|name={{sortname|Abraham|Ruhumuriza}}|nat=RWA|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2003|name={{sortname|Abraham|Ruhumuriza}}|nat=RWA|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2004|name={{sortname|Abraham|Ruhumuriza}}|nat=RWA|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2005|name={{sortname|Abraham|Ruhumuriza}}|nat=RWA|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2006|name={{sortname|Peter|Kamau}}|nat=KEN|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2007|name={{sortname|Abraham|Ruhumuriza}}|nat=RWA|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2008|name={{sortname|Adrien|Niyonshuti}}|nat=RWA|team=}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2009|name={{sortname|Adil|Jelloul}}|nat=MAR|team=Morocco national team}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2010|name={{sortname|Daniel|Teklehaimanot}}|nat=ERI|team=Eritrea national team}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2011|name={{sortname|Kiel|Reijnen}}|nat=USA|team={{UCI team code|TNN|2011b}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2012|name={{sortname|Darren|Lill}}|nat=RSA|team=South Africa national team}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2013|name={{sortname|Dylan|Girdlestone}}|nat=RSA|team=South Africa national team}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2014|name={{sortname|Valens|Ndayisenga}}|nat=RWA|team=Rwanda Karisimbi}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2015|name={{sortname|Jean Bosco|Nsengimana}}|nat=RWA|team=Rwanda Karisimbi}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2016|name={{sortname|Valens|Ndayisenga}}|nat=RWA|team={{UCI team code|DDC|2016}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2017|name={{sortname|Joseph|Areruya}}|nat=RWA|team={{UCI team code|DDC|2017}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2018|name={{sortname|Samuel|Mugisha}}|nat=RWA|team={{UCI team code|DDC|2018}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2019|name={{sortname|Merhawi|Kudus}}|nat=ERI|team={{UCI team code|AST|2019}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2020|name={{sortname|Natnael|Tesfatsion}}|nat=ERI|team=Eritrea}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2021|name={{sortname|Cristián|Rodríguez|Cristián Rodríguez (cyclist)}}|nat=ESP|team={{UCI team code|TDE|2021a}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2022|name={{sortname|Natnael|Tesfatsion}}|nat=ERI|team={{UCI team code|DRA|2022}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2023|name={{sortname|Henok|Mulubrhan}}|nat=ERI|team={{UCI team code|BCF|2023}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2024|name={{sortname|Joseph|Blackmore}}|nat=GBR|team={{UCI team code|IPT|2024}}}}
{{Cycling past winner rider|year=2025|name={{sortname|Fabien|Doubey}}|nat=FRA|team={{UCI team code|TEN|2025}}}}
{{Cycling past winner end}}
Controversies
Despite security concerns due to the ongoing conflict near Rwanda's borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo, participants in the 2025 Tour du Rwanda reported feeling safe. The race passed close to Goma and Bukavu, cities captured by the M23 rebel group. While Belgian team Soudal Quick-Step withdrew due to these concerns, riders like South African Ryco Schutte and Belgian Kamiel Eeman expressed no fear during the event. The UCI and Rwandan officials assured that the country was safe for tourism and business, with strong security measures in place. However, Rwanda has faced accusations of "sportswashing," with critics alleging that the government uses sports to distract from its human rights record. These accusations were denied by Rwandan officials. Despite these controversies, the Tour du Rwanda proceeded without incidents, and the 2025 UCI Road World Championships are still set to be hosted in Kigali.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-05 |title=Tour du Rwanda: Cyclists 'felt safe' despite M23 rebel security concerns |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/articles/c625ddzrvvko |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.tourdurwanda.rw/}}
- https://www.ktpress.rw/2024/02/joseph-blackmore-wins-tour-du-rwanda-2024-after-incredible-stage-eight-triumph/
- https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/14812/sports/cycling/joseph-blackmore-is-tour-du-rwanda-2024-winner
- https://www.tourdurwanda.rw/About/
Category:UCI Africa Tour races
Category:Cycle races in Rwanda