The 16th edition of the Tour du Rwanda will start on February 18, 2024 and finish on the 25th of the same month. Twenty teams are expected. The cyclists will cover 740 km in 8 days.
From February 18 to 25, 2024, the cyclists will pass through Rwanda’s five provinces and 21 of the country’s 30 districts. The total distance covered will be 740 km.
Forty teams had registered to take part in this 16th edition, but twenty were selected. Rwanda’s new technical director, Frenchman Philippe Colliou, said they had given priority to African teams.“Our priority is to welcome national teams from African countries. We want this 16th edition, which precedes the World Championships to be held in Kigali in 2025, to be an opportunity for African cyclists to shine. A young Rwandan, for example, who is at home, racing in front of his family, his friends, the media and his public, must perform. For this edition, our priority is to give the chance to teams with young runners and with development structures”, explains Philippe Colliou.
In order to prepare effectively for the World Championship, Philippe Colliou announced that the Tour du Rwanda 2024 will be broadcast live in partnership with Canal+ and RBA (Rwanda Broadcasting Agency). The routes of the first and last stages in the city of Kigali will also be used during the World Championships.
The 16th edition will feature professional teams, continental teams and national teams.
The professional teams are Israel-Premier Tech (Israel), Total Energies (France) and Eolo-Kometa Cycling Team (Italy).
The continental teams are Soudal Quick-StepDev Team (Belgium), AstaQazadstanDev Team (Kazakhstan), Groupama FDJ (France), Bike Aid (Germany) and Lotto Dstny from Belgium. The national teams will of course come from host country Rwanda, Algeria, South Africa, Mauritius, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Italy and the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Cycling Center, which will field a team of African riders from various countries.
Eight stages are on the program
The first stage on February 18: BK Arena – Kigali Convention Center: a team time trial (18 km).
Second stage on February 19: Muhanga – Kibeho (130 km).
Third stage on February 20: Huye – Rusizi (141km).
Fourth stage on February 21: Karongi – Rubavu (92km).
Stage 5 on February 22: Musanze – Kinigi: an individual time trial (13km).
Stage six on February 23: Musanze – Mont Kigali (93km).
Stage seven on February 24: Rukomo – Kayonza (163km).
The eighth stage on February 25: Kigali Convention Center – Kigali Convention Center (90km).
The Tour du Rwanda 2023 was won by Eritrean Henok Mulubrhan.
