Havana, February 22 (RHC) – Two spectators died today and six others were injured in an accident during the first stage of the Tour of Rwanda cycling race, held between the cities of Rukomo and Rwamagana over 173.6 kilometers, organizers said.
“A vehicle in the caravan went off the road and struck several spectators,” the race organizers stated in a press release published on the social media platform X.
According to the statement, law enforcement has opened an investigation to determine the cause of the incident, which occurred in the Gabiro area, in the east of the country.
Israeli Itamar Einhorn, riding for NSN Development, won the stage with a time of 4:00:04, ahead of Spaniard Hodei Muñoz (Soudal Quick-Step Devo) and Eritrean Mewael Girmay (Istanbul).
From Latin America, Colombian Jonathan Guatibonza (Movistar) finished in eighth place with the same time as the winner.
On the climb to Gatsibo, German Miguel Heidemann (Rembr-Rad-net) and Brazilian Henrique Da Silva (Localiza Meoo) broke away from the breakaway group, cresting the summit at the front of the peloton and then building a lead of more than seven minutes over the main group.
Heidemann, a two-time German national time trial runner-up, took on much of the work at the front, while Da Silva, who finished 13th in the mountain bike event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, paced himself.
The Brazilian won both intermediate sprints (Nyagatare and Kabarore), while the pace of the peloton gradually increased. With 25 kilometers to go, the gap narrowed to 1 minute 45 seconds and then dropped below 60 seconds in the final 10,000 meters.
With a favorable route and a flat final kilometer, the peloton caught the breakaway, giving Einhorn the opportunity to unleash his speed and take the yellow jersey as overall leader.
Tomorrow, the second stage will be contested between the cities of Nyamata and Huye, a distance of 134.6 kilometers, with 1,827 meters of accumulated elevation gain and two third-category climbs: Nyamiyaga (km 83.5) and Gasoro (km 94.5).
