Tour du Rwanda 2024 off to a flying start

The 16th edition of the Tour du Rwanda kicked off on Sunday, February 18, 2024, with the exhilarating Team Time Trial along the prestigious 2025 World Championships time trial route, spanning 18.3 kilometres.

Setting off from the bustling Kigali-BK Arena and culminating at the majestic Kigali Convention Center, the stage offered a thrilling display of teamwork and speed.

While most of the stage posed little challenge to the teams, the final 2300 meters, with its slight incline leading to the finish line, added a tantalizing twist to the competition.

In a dazzling display of athleticism and coordination, Belgian rider Jonathan Vervenne propelled his team, Soudal Quick-Step, to victory, earning him the coveted yellow jersey on the opening day of the Tour du Rwanda 2024.

With seven more stages awaiting him, Vervenne braces himself for the relentless
competition, beginning with the departure from Muhanga town on Monday, February 19.

The peloton is set to embark on a challenging 130-kilometre journey to the revered Holy Land in Kibeho, where the landscape promises both beauty and adversity.

As the race unfolds, amidst the breathtaking scenery and the fervour of the fans, the Tour du Rwanda continues to captivate with its vibrant spirit, setting the stage for yet another unforgettable edition, adorned with the hues of the upcoming 2025 UCI Road World Championship.

Stage Two: 129.4km

The journey continues with the second stage, on Monday, February 19, 2024, a thrilling odyssey stretching 129.4 kilometres from Muhanga to Kibeho. Venturing through a terrain marked by undulating landscapes, the riders will encounter the formidable challenges of the Kiyonza, Maraba, and Coko climbs, poised to ignite the race with their treacherous ascents.

With the last ascent looming just under 10 kilometres from the finish line, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown, as riders vie for victory either in the company of a select few or through daring solo exploits.