Africa-Press – Rwanda. Spanish cyclist Alejandro Gainza Rodriguez of May Stars and Rwanda’s Claudette Nyirarukundo of Team Amani emerged victorious in Saturday’s opening day of Kirehe Race 2025.
The race, organised by Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) in partnership with Kirehe District, saw the men’s elite and U23 riders compete from Amahoro Stadium in Kigali to Kirehe District headquarters, covering a total distance of 177km, including an additional 10 laps.
The women’s elite and U23 and men’s juniors competed from Kigali to Kiirehe District headquarters over a distance of 138km while the women’s juniors competed for a distance of 78 km from Migongo in Kayonza to Kirehe District headquarters.
Fresh from representing Rwanda at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, Nyirarukundo crossed the finish line in Kirehe, clocking 3 hours, 44 minutes, and 37 seconds.
Diane Ingabire of Canyon Sram secured second place in the race category after she arrived nearly five minutes later while Martha Ntakirutimana came in third place.
In the men’s elite and U23 category, Rodriguez finished in 4 hours, 36 minutes, and 49 seconds, 23 seconds ahead of Shemu Nsengiyumva of Java Inovotec Pro Team, while Nsengiyumva’s teammate Etienne Tuyizere came in third, just one second behind.
Spanish cyclist Alejandro Gainza Rodriguez
In the junior category, Eric Niyogisubizo from Les Amis Sportifs claimed victory after clocking 3 hours, 32 minutes, and 6 seconds. He was followed by Brian Ishimwe and Moses Ntirenganya, who finished second and third, respectively.
And, in the women’s junior category, Yvonne Masengesho of Ndabaga Cycling Team claimed victory after clocking 2 hours and 30 minutes, finishing ahead of Donatha Akimana and Ancilla Uwizeyimana, who came in third, 2 minutes and 23 seconds later.
The second day of the race will feature a mix of professional and non-professional riders, headlined by the fan-favorite “Matabaro” (Pneus Ballons) race. Riders will start at Kirehe District Office, loop through East Gate Hotel, and return after five laps covering 19.5 km.
At 9:30 a.m., junior women will compete in a 69.5 km race from Kirehe District Office to Rusumo Border (near Ngoma District) and back, completing five laps.
The event will conclude with elite, U23 (both men and women), and junior men competing in an 11-lap circuit totaling 92.4 km, racing from Kirehe District Office through Rusumo Border, Cyunuzi, and back to the finish line.
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