Timothy Rugg kicked off his first race in Africa in style, giving Lowest Rates its first professional victory by winning the prologue of this year’s Tour du Rwanda.
- Timothy Rugg, Prologue Winner
The American rider scorched the 3.3 km course in Kigali, winning by two seconds over Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Dimension Data for Qhubeka).Last year’s overall runner-up Joseph Areruya (Les Amis Sportifs) finished third at three seconds.
“I am lost for words.This is amazing.To come here actually be able to take this win it unexpected.They are very strong opponents.I never expected this today but I will take the momentum and hopefully carry it on to the next stages.”
Timothy Rugg became the third rider from North America to win the prologue after Kiel Reijnen (USA) and Rémi Roy Pelletier (Canada) did it in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
“ I have a teammate who is maybe a little bit better than me in the climbing.We will try to keep the jersey but like I said there so many teams and the dynamic is difficult to control.We will give it our best shot.’”
The GC favorites including the last two winners Jean-Bosco Nsengimana and Valens Ndayisenga, sit fifth and sixth just 4 and 5 seconds behind the leader.
Tomorrow, the peloton will tackle a 96.4 kilometer stage from Kigali to Ngomba.
PROLOGUE CLASSIFICATION
- Timothy Rugg (USA – Team Lowestrates.ca): 04’00”25
- Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Eritrea – Dimension Data for Qhubeka) at 04’03”10
- Joseph Areruya (Rwanda – Les Amis Sportifs) at 04’03”95
- Guillaume Boivin (Canada – Cycling Academy Team) at 04’04”32
- Jean-Bosco Nsengimana (Rwanda – Stradalli-Bike Aid) at 04’04”63
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
- Timothy Rugg (USA – Team Lowestrates.ca): 04’00”25
- Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Eritrea – Dimension Data for Qhubeka) at 04’03”10
- Joseph Areruya (Rwanda – Les Amis Sportifs) at 04’03”95
- Guillaume Boivin (Canada – Cycling Academy Team) at 04’04”32
- Jean-Bosco Nsengimana (Rwanda – Stradalli-Bike Aid) at 04’04”63
JERSEYS
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION, sponsored by MINISPOC : Timothy Rugg (USA – Team Lowestrates.ca)
PROLOGUE WINNER, sponsored by SKOL : Timothy Rugg (USA – Team Lowestrates.ca)
BEST CLIMBER, sponsored by COGEBANK : Guillaume Boivin (Canada – Cycling Academy Team)
BEST YOUNG RIDER (born after 1 Januray 1994) sponsored by SORAS : Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Eritrea – Dimension Data for Qhubeka)
BEST AFRICAN sponsored by RWANDAIR : Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Eritrea – Dimension Data for Qhubeka)
BEST RWANDAN sponsored by RDB : Joseph Areruya (Rwanda – Les Amis Sportifs)
- Timothy Rugg, General Classification Jersey
- Guillaume Boivin, Best Climber
- Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier, Best Young Rider & Best African
- Joseph Areruya, Best Rwandan
