Tour of Rwanda 2024 : a taste of the 2025 Cycling World Championship
From February 18th to 25th, Rwanda hosted the 16th edition of the Tour of Rwanda, marked by the participation of over twenty nationalities, including giants of the sport such as the British Christopher Froome, four-time winner of the Tour de France, the most prestigious cycling competition in Africa. While the host country did not claim the title, this edition aimed to showcase Rwanda's hosting capabilities, one year ahead of the first-ever Africa-hosted Cycling World Championship in Kigali in 2025.
Report by Dounia Ben Mohamed, in Kigali
Footage and Editing by Habineza
This 16th edition of Rwanda’s most popular sports event, a major cycling event on the African continent, once again captivated crowds and thrilled cycling enthusiasts worldwide during its 2024 edition.
With winding roads traversing breathtaking landscapes, cyclists faced steep mountains, dizzying descents, and tight turns, with each stage presenting a unique challenge testing the resilience, endurance, and strategy of the competitors.
The 2024 edition saw the participation of 94 riders from 19 teams, but only 63 of them managed to complete the 718.9 km course. The winner of the Tour of Rwanda 2024 was Peter Joseph Blackmore. As for the top African competitor, Eritrean Yemane Dawit secured the 10th position, representing the German team Bike Aid.
However, there was no victory for Rwanda this time, except for a successful new edition, reaffirming Rwanda’s position as a prime destination for world-class cycling.
This year’s tournament reflects our preparation for the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in 2025, and our two years of preparation have borne fruit
« This year’s tournament reflects our preparation for the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in 2025, and our two years of preparation have borne fruit, » assures Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, Rwandan Minister of Sports.
As the competition’s spotlight fades, preparations for the Cycling World Championship, which will be hosted for the first time in Africa in Rwanda in 2025, resume with confidence.
« Rwanda is honored and thrilled to host the UCI World Championship in 2025. It’s a significant opportunity that also puts Rwanda in the spotlight, attracting opportunities, » emphasizes Samson Ndayishimiye, President of the Rwandan Cycling Federation. « We hope the event will attract investments, and personally, I dream of a major cycling company establishing a factory in Rwanda. »
Related : Interview with Samson Ndayishimiye: “The Passion for Cycling in Rwanda is Natural and Historical”
