The annual cycling race, Tour du Rwanda scheduled February 18th to 25th 2024 will be attended by 20 teams for its 16th edition. First 16 teams to attend the race was selected in announced in November, this time, the organizers of the Tour du Rwanda have selected another 4 teams to complete the peloton.
20 teams which will attend Tour du Rwanda includes 4 UCI Pro teams, 7 UCI Continental teams, 7 national teams, and one mixed African nations teams.
UCI Pro teams includes Israel-Premier Tech (Israel), TotalEnergies (France), Polti-Kometa (Italy), and Bingoal-WB (Belgium).
UCI Continental teams includes Java Inovotec (Rwanda), May Stars (Rwanda), Soudal – Quick-Step (Belgium), Astana Qazaqstan Development Team (Kazakhstan), Lotto Dstny Development Team (Belgium), Groupama-FDJ (France), Bike Aid (Germany), and Development Team DSM-Firmenish (Netherlands).
National teams include Rwanda, Algeria, South Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Italy, and Mauritius. The only mixed African nation team is World Cycling Centre Africa.
Tour du Rwanda 2024 will be made of 8 stages. Stage 1 will circulate Kigali with team time trial, 18km will be covered. Stage 2 will be from Muhanga to Kibeho (Nyaruguru) and will cover 130km. Stage 3 will be from Huye to Rusizi and will be 141km. Stage 4 will be from Karongi to Rubavu to cover 92km. Stage 5 will be individual time trial circulating Musanze, 13km will be covered. Stage 6 will be from Musanze to Kigali to cover 93km. Stage 7 will be from Gicumbi to Kayonza to cover 163km. the 8th stage which will be the last will circulate Kigali to cover 90km.
This edition will be more challenging as they have added ITT in Musanze, TTT in Kigali and stage 8 will offer the preview of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships circuit.
Current champion of Tour du Rwanda is Eritrean Henok Mulubrhan.
Tour du Rwanda is one of the most prestigious and difficult bicycle race not only in Africa but also in World. It takes place in Rwanda, the country at the heart of Africa, known for the country of thousand hills.