Africa-Press – Rwanda. Sunday, February 22
Stage 1: Rukomo – Rwamagana (174 km)
The 2026 Tour du Rwanda is finally here, and this year’s edition promises to showcase the race’s growing international appeal and rising competitive intensity.
This year, 51 riders will make their debut at the Tour du Rwanda, representing a 64 per cent renewal rate of the peloton. While slightly lower than 70.5 per cent in 2023, it marks an increase from 48 per cent in 2025 and reflects the race’s continued ability to attract fresh talent.
Riders ride in a peloton during stage 1, from Rukomo – Rwamagana (174 km)
Since 2009, a total of 844 different riders have competed in the annual race, a testament to the race’s expanding global footprint.
Continental breakdown
The 2026 edition of Tour du Rwanda showcases notable continental diversity, with African riders making up the majority of the peloton. Of the total field, 45 riders hail from Africa, followed by 28 from Europe, nine from the Americas, and two from Asia-Oceania.
This strong African presence reinforces the race’s standing as a premier event on the continent’s cycling calendar.
New teams join 2026 peloton
The 2026 Tour du Rwanda will welcome five new nationalities, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico and Turkey, bringing the total number of nationalities in the peloton to 24, up from 20 in 2025.
The race will also feature six debutant teams including Movistar Academy (Spain), Istanbul Team (Turkey), Rembe Rad-Net (Germany), Tshenolo Pro Cycling Team (South Africa), Localiza Meoo-Swift Pro Cycling (Brazil), and the African Mixed Team, adding a fresh dynamic to this year’s competition.
The 2026 Tour du Rwanda will welcome five new nationalities, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico and Turkey.
Rwanda and Eritrea stand out as the highest represented teams at Tour du Rwanda 2026 with 14 riders each, followed by Germany with seven, while Belgium, Brazil and Ethiopia each have six riders at the start.
Historically, Rwanda remains the most represented nation in the race since 2009, with 254 riders having taken part, ahead of Eritrea (116), France (106), South Africa (86) and Ethiopia (74).
Apart from Rwanda, only France and South Africa have had riders at the start of every edition since 2019, underlining their consistent presence in the competition.
Records and milestones
Several notable records and milestones add further significance to Tour du Rwanda 2026. Patrick Byukusenge equals Jean-Bosco Nsengimana’s record of 13 participations, the highest number of appearances in the race’s history.
Eritrea leads the standings for most stage wins by a nation with 26 victories, followed by Rwanda with 22, France with 13, and South Africa and Colombia with 10 each. Individually, Colombian Jhonatan Restrepo holds the record for the most stage wins, with seven to his name.
Overall, 22 different nations have claimed at least one stage victory, while seven countries, Eritrea and Rwanda (five titles each), South Africa (two), and Morocco, Spain, the United States and Great Britain (one each) , have won the general classification title.
Former champions and podium finishers
The 2026 Tour du Rwanda will feature two former overall champions at the start: Henok Mulubrhan, winner of the 2023 edition, and Merhawi Kudus, who claimed the title in 2019.
In addition, five riders who have previously finished on the final podium will compete this year, including Mulubrhan, who finished second in 2025, and Moïse Mugisha, runner-up in 2020.
The presence of eight former stage winners further underlines the depth of experience and competitive pedigree within this year’s peloton.
Youthful peloton and national champions at the start
A defining feature of the 2026 Tour du Rwanda is the strong presence of young talent, with 34 riders age under 20, representing 41 per cent of the peloton, a significant increase from 20.5 per cent in 2025.
Despite this youth movement, historical records remain intact, as Samuel Mugisha continues to hold the distinction of being the youngest overall winner, having claimed the 2018 title at 20 years and 8 months, while Merhawi Kudus remains the youngest stage winner after his victory in 2012 at just 18 years and 10 months.
Adding further prestige to this year’s edition, nine national champions, including time trial and road race titleholders from Rwanda, South Africa, Eritrea, Brazil, Mexico and Uganda, will line up at the start, intensifying the competition across all eight stages.
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