Eritrean road race cyclist Natnael Tesfatsion on Sunday won the Tour du Rwanda 2020 after overcoming the country’s challenging topography ahead of other local favorites for the international cycling competition.
20-year old Tesfatsion who rides for club Dimension Data for Qhubeka of South Africa, also wore the yellow jersey as the overall race leader for all 8 stages of the competition covering a combined total distance of 899 km in 20 hours, 38 minutes, and 58 seconds.
In the general classification, Tesfatsion was followed by Rwandan Moise Mugisha who finished second while Main Keny of South Africa was nestled in third with a difference of about two minutes from the leader.
Columbian Jhonatan Restrepo is the first cyclist who also took four non-time-trial stages.
The 25-year-old Colombian cyclist from Italian side Androni Giocattoli – Sidermec, was the winner of Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 6 and Stage 7 of Tour du Rwanda 2020.
Two jerseys for the best Rwandan and most combative riders went to Mugisha and Didier Munyaneza, respectively, while Estonian Rein Taaramae scooped the King of the Mountain (best climber) award.
Debutant Italian side Androni Giocattoli topped the team classification.
For the second consecutive edition of the annual UCI Africa Tour race, Rwandan riders failed to win a single stage.
Classification of Stage 8 of Tour du Rwanda 2020:
1. José Manuel Diaz (Nippo Delko), 2h33’24’’
2. Mugisha Moïse (SACA), 2h33’24’’+ 3”
3. Main Kent (Pro Touch), 2h33’24’’ + 7”
4. Ravanelli Simone (Androni), 2h33’24’’+11”
5. Schelling Patrick (Israel Start-Up nation), 2h33’46’’
General classification of Tour du Rwanda 2020:
1. Tesfatsion Natnael (Eritrea) 20h38’58’’
2. Mugisha Moïse (Skol Adrien Cycling Academy) 20h40’28’’ (01’30’’)
3. Schelling Patrick (Israel Start – Up Nation) 20h40’47’’ (01’49’’)
4. Quintero Noreña Carlos Julian (Terengganu Inc. Tsg Cyclin Col 20h40’53’’ (01’55’’)
4. Main Kent (Protouch) 20h41’04’’ (02’06’’).
CU/as/APA