Date: Sunday, 26 February 2023
Henok Mulubrhan Photo: @tour_du_Rwanda
photo: Ferwacy (Rwandan Cycling Association)Mulubrhan in the picture - photo: Cor Vos (archive)
The Tour du Rwanda was won by Henok Mulubrhan. The Green Project-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè rider secured his overall victory in the final stage to and from Kigali by winning the final stage. William Junior Lecerf put the fire to him, but was beaten back by bad luck.
photo: Tour du RwandaLecerf on the attack, Mulubrhan follows
The eighth stage was only 75.3 kilometers long, so it was immediately time to race. Lecerf in particular took the initiative, the young Belgian quickly went on the attack. Initially he got three fellow escapees, but a few kilometers later a group of about fifteen riders including leader Mulubrhan joined.
The group with a number of favorites rode in the lead all day. A number of men jumped away from the peloton, which followed more than two minutes, but they could no longer close the gap. In this way, the leading group went to Kigali with a large lead, where the final climb of the category awaited. It was 5.2 kilometers long and had an average gradient of 6.5%.
Final climb takes decisive step in classification
Dawit Yemane of Bike Aid was the rider who tried it first. The rider from Eritrea had climbed a nice gap, but it was quite difficult in the last kilometer. Close behind, a small group containing Mulubrhan and Lecerf had driven off. Lecerf tried several times, but couldn't get the leader off his wheel. It did ensure that Yemane was recaptured.
Fate struck for Lecerf in the very last kilometer. The rider of Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team had to put a foot on the ground due to equipment failure. Lecerf lost important seconds and could no longer fight for victory. In the last hundreds of meters it was leader Mulubrhan who unleashed his devils and sprinted convincingly to victory. With that he also secured his final victory.
BREAKING:
Eritrean @henokmulubrhan from @Bardiani_CSF is the Champion of Tour du Rwanda 2023 after winning the last stage of the tour at Canal Olympia Rebero. #TdRwanda23 pic.twitter.com/fMDdxSt9b6
