International Cycling Boss to Visit Rwanda for Tour

UCI president Michael Brian Cookson. (Internet photo)
UCI president Michael Brian Cookson. (Internet photo)

The president of the International Cycling Union (ICU), Michael Brian Cookson, will visit Rwanda in November at the occasion of the 2014 Tour of Rwanda, the Rwandan Cycling Federation (Ferwacy) has announced.

Apart from Cookson, other guests expected to come and follow the Tour are Jon and Linda Halbert, the executive producers of the critically acclaimed documentary ‘Rising From the Ashes‘ about the rise of cycling after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis.

English former professional triathlete and four-time Ironman triathlon world champion Christine Ann Wellington is also expected in Rwanda for the Tour.

16 cycling teams will participate in this year’s competition from November 16 to 23. Rwanda will be represented by three teams: Akagera, Karisimbi and Muhabura.

Tour du Rwanda
Tour du Rwanda

Each of the 16 teams from different countries will produce five cyclists. The tour is expected to see competitors South Africa, Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Algerie, Maroc, Cameroun, Gabon, the USA (Novo Nordisk Development Team), France (Haute Savoie), and Germany (Team Bike Aid).