Peter Joseph Blackmore made history on Sunday by becoming the first English cyclist to win the Tour du Rwanda, following a decisive victory in the eighth and final stage. The 21-year-old, representing Israel-Premier Tech, clinched the title in the 2024 edition of the race, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Blackmore’s strategic move at Kwa Mutwe allowed him to break away from the competition, securing a lead he maintained until crossing the finish line at the Kigali Convention Centre. He completed the 73.6-kilometer finale in 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 37 seconds, expressing his elation over the win, especially after not racing in the previous year.
Runners-up Pierre Latour of TotalEnergies and Ilkhan Dostiyev of Astana Qazaqstan Development trailed 30 seconds behind Blackmore. Over eight stages covering 718.9 kilometers, the shortest distance since 2009, Blackmore emerged victorious with a total time of 17 hours, 18 minutes, and 46 seconds, also earning a €3,500 prize.
Dostiyev secured the second position overall, 41 seconds behind Blackmore, with a €2,000 prize, while Jhonatan Restrepo claimed third, 43 seconds adrift, and a €1,500 prize. Eric Manizabayo was recognized as the Best Rwandan Rider, finishing 15th overall, and Dawit Yemane of Bike Aid received the Best African Rider title. Pierre Latour also earned the Best Climber accolade, each receiving €600.
Eritrea won the Best Team award with a €1,000 prize. The Tour du Rwanda 2024 serves as a precursor to the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, a historic event marking the championships’ first occurrence in Africa. Notably, Henok Mulubrhan, the 2023 Tour du Rwanda champion, could not participate this year due to an injury.
