African championships bronze medallist takes opener at Tour du Rwanda

Despite an opening stage leaning heavily towards the sprinters, 31-year-old Algerian time trial specialist Azzedine Lagab (Groupement Sportif des Petroliers Algerie) surprised both the field and himself with a Stage 1 victory in front of UCI President David Lappartient sitting front row of the finish to slip into a leader’s jersey at the 2018 Tour du Rwanda (UCI 2.2) on Sunday.

“It was totally unexpected because everyone thought it would end as a sprint” said the recently crowned national time trial champion after the stage, whose team has a young Algerian sprinter at its disposal. “At then end I thought there was a chance to go, and I took that chance.

“I am very happy, this is my fourth Tour of Rwanda and my third stage win, but my first time to wear the yellow jersey.”

While this is the 21st year of Tour of Rwanda’s existence, this is the 10th edition of the UCI international 2.2 race, which is scheduled to move up to 2.1 in 2019.

The 2018 African championships road race bronze medallist tops the general classification over runner-up David Lozano (Team Novo Nordisk) tied on same time, with James Fourie (South Africa) and Jonas Doring (Descartes Romandie) in third and fourth respectively at 10 seconds back.

Two-time race winner and heavy crowd favourite Valens Ndayisenga, who was racing in his hometown of Rwamagana in the stage-shortened 15-lap, 97.5-kilometre circuit, is fifth on GC (+0:12) after a strong showing mid-race with fellow Rwandan breakaway rider Jean Paul Rene Ukiniwabo (Les Amis Sportifs, +0:22) before being caught with five laps to go.

Ndayiseng dons the first KOM jersey, while Ukiniwabo takes the sprint classification.

“I was really excited to come here because it is a different culture, different kind of racing,” Lozano told Eurosport. “I was beaten the last 25 metres, so I should be really angry, but I’m really happy and looking forward to the race tomorrow.”

The 29-year-old Spaniard, who rides for Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s only professional sports team completely composed of athletes diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, crashed out of last week’s RideLondon-Surrey Classic (1.UWT). However three weeks spent in Andorra, Spain prior to his fall has him in fine form for the remaining seven stages in his Rwanda debut.

“I was actually one month in altitude, so I feel like I am home with a lot crowds,” he said. “I want to do well this race and I am looking forward to [more stages].”