Our target is to win medals, says Team Rwanda coach

Peter Kamasa | February 09, 2018 | The New Times

Schedule
Feb.14
Official opening ceremony
Team Time Trial (Boys & Girls): 18.6km
Team Time Trial (juniors): 18.6km
Team Time Trial (Women Senior): 40km
Team Time Trial (Men Senior): 40km
Feb. 15
Individual Time Trial (Boys & Girls): 18.6km
Individual Time Trial (Boys Junior): 18,6km
Individual Time Trial (Women Senior): 40km
Individual Time Trial (Men Senior): 40km
Feb. 17
Junior race: 72km
Men U23: 84km
Feb. 18
Road Race: 168km

Rwanda Cycling team head coach Sterling Magnell has vowed that Team Rwanda riders will do what it takes to win medals at the African Continental Road Championships slated for February 13-18 in Kigali City.

With just five days to go, Magnell believes that his side is ready to raise the country’s flag high.

“We need to focus on team work. We will use deep thinking and tactics. We should expect extremely better performances from our riders,” Magnell said.
Magnell acknowledged that the race will have strong riders, but was quick to add that team Rwanda will rise up to the occasion.

“I know we are capable of doing better. We are focusing on preparations, we want to improve and correct some mistakes we made in past years. We are going for gold medals,” he added.
According to Magnell, the target is to win medals during the competition, and one of the strongest teams ever has been assembled to accomplish this mission.

“This time we need to win using sound tactics, mind and plans, not strength alone, some of which could be confusing to the public. But just watch, we will do it,” Magnell vowed.
However, riders Jean Paul René Ukiniwabo, Jean Damascene Ruberwa and Samuel Hakiruwizeye have not been selected for the African Championships.

This will be the second time Rwanda has hosted the continental road championships after hosting the 2010 edition.

The Junior Women’s Team Time Trial will compete for a distance of 18.6 km same as the Men’s Junior Team Time Trial.

The Elite Women’s Team Time Trial will cover 40km same as the Elite Men’s Team Time Trial – the race will run from Kicukiro to Nyamata in Bugesera District.
Meanwhile, the Women Junior Road race will cover a distance of 60km and their male counterparts will do 72km. Elite Women will compete in 84km race while the Elite Men will race for 168km in Kigali City.

Final squad:

Women junior: Samantha Mushimiyimana and Violette Irakoze Neza

Women elite: Béathe Ingabire, Jeanne d’Arc Girubuntu, Magnifique Manizabayo and Jacqueline Tuyishimire.

Men junior: Jean Eric Habimana, Yves Nkurunziza, Barnabé Gahemba, and Jean Claude Nzafashwanayo.

Men elite: Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Patrick Byukusenge, Jean Claude Uwizeye, Valens Ndayisenga, Adrien Niyonshuti, Joseph Areruya, Samuel Mugisha and Didier Munyaneza.