Frenchman Joris Delbove rides to first professional victory and leader's jersey in Tour of Rwanda

French cyclist Joris Delbove (TotalEnergies) achieved a double victory on Thursday in the fourth stage of the Tour of Rwanda (cat. 2.1). Delbove booked his first professional victory and also conquered the leader's jersey.

The fourth stage in Rwanda was also short but difficult: between the starting point Rubavu and the finish in Gitesi there was barely 95 kilometers, but along the way the peloton had to climb to an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level.

At the end of that assignment, Delbove finished three seconds ahead of a group of sixteen chasers, with Australian Brady Gilmore coming second and Eritrean Henok Mulubrhan third. Both Gilmore and Mulubrhan had won stages in the past few days.

In the new standings, Delbove takes over the leader's jersey from his compatriot and teammate Fabien Doubey, who is now second. The 24-year-old Delbove made the step from the third class of cycling to the procontinental circuit, the second level, this year.

The Tour of Rwanda continues until Sunday. The final stage in the capital Kigali will be held on a section of the course that is also planned for the controversial world championships later this year in Rwanda.

Source: BELGA