Mon 24 Feb 2025 15:14

Tour du Rwanda: Henok Mulubrhan wins first road stage after 50-rider attack

Eritrean beats Rotem Tene and Lorrenzo Manzin

Henok Mulubrhan.

No two out of two for the Belgian riders in the Tour of Rwanda. Milan Menten did his utmost to finish the first stage as a winner in the sprint, but our compatriot came up short. The African champion Henok Mulubrhan was the fastest of the pack. Menten is however joint leader in the stage race.

After Aldo Taillieu's triumph in the prologue, it was now the turn of the Belgian sprinters in the Tour of Rwanda.

So Lotto looked to Milan Menten . Our compatriot remained alert until the end of the race, but felt at his start that he would come up short.

Menten shook his head and watched Henok Mulubrhan sprint to victory in the first real stage. The Eritrean stayed ahead of the Israeli Tene and the Frenchman Manzin.

The Belgian does get a consolation prize: Menten is joint leader after the prologue and the sprint stage. Although southern neighbor Fabien Doubey does get the leader's jersey.

The 17th edition of the Tour of Rwanda is being followed by the cycling world much more than usual.

Due to the armed conflict in the border region with Congo, Soudal - Quick Step decided to cancel earlier this month for safety reasons. Lotto did travel to Rwanda, with a mix of promises and professionals.

UCI President David Lappartient was a notable presence in Kigali today, kicking off the prologue alongside controversial Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Later this year, Kigali is set to host the first ever World Cycling Championships on African soil. That World Championship is also under fire.

The Tour of Rwanda is an 8-day stage race. Stages 3 and 4 in particular come close to the conflict zone in Congo.