Pictures: Belgian duo excels as Rwandan Epic 2024 tips off

Rwandan Epic 2024 kicked off on Monday, 21 October, with Belgian duo Pierre de Froidmont and Axel Baumans, stealing the limelight in the Duo Men category.

The Orbea riders prevailed in the prologue stage, clocking 27 minutes and 12 seconds on an 8.8km route around Mount Kigali.

The German duo of Daniel Gathof, who won the 2023 Rwandan Epic along with Bart Classens, and Peter Schermann came in second spot, 48 seconds off de Froidmont and Baumans, whilst the duo of Banzi Bukhari and Didier Munyaneza emerged third, 1 minute and 43 seconds behind the leaders.

The riders set off at Fazenda Sengha at 10:30 a.m. and there were three categories including Duo Men teams, Duo Women teams, Duo Mixed teams, and Solo teams.

In Duo Women, Belgian Siska Marrécau and Rwandan Martha Ntakirutimana claimed the first stage in 37 minutes and 42 seconds.

In Duo Mixed, Spaniards Oscar Pujol and Mude Rodriguez emerged as the stage-one winners in 36 minutes and 55 seconds, and Rwandan duo Xaverine Nirere and Eric Muhoza came in second place, 30 seconds behind.

Zeno Riondato was the winner of the first stage in the Solo Men category, clocking 29 minutes and 2 seconds.

The race resumes on Tuesday with the second stage, a 94.9-km circuit that bikers will begin at Nyirangarama and finish at Africa Rising Cycling Center (ARCC) in Musanze District.

The Rwanda Epic, which is happening for the fourth time, is a multi-stage cycling event that draws top international and local riders in mountain biking races.

Known for its challenging courses and stunning landscapes, the race showcases Rwanda’s exceptional natural beauty while promoting sports and tourism across the region.