Nkundabera Eric of Les Amis Sportifs and Nyirarukundo Claudette of Team Amani emerged as overall winners of the Musanze Challenge 2025, a race that brought Rwanda’s cycling season to a close this year.
The event organized by the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY), was held on Saturday, 27 December 2025 in Musanze District.
The race featured three main categories; men, women and juniors, with riders starting from different locations and covering varying distances before finishing in Musanze town.
In the elite men’s and under-23 category, riders set off from Kanyinya and raced a demanding 102.1km route via Kinigi and INES Ruhengeri. Nkundabera claimed victory after completing the course in two hours, 42 minutes and 45 seconds.
Nsengiyumva Shemu of Java Inovotec Cycling Club finished second, while Masengesho Vainqueur of Benediction Cycling Club came third, just two seconds behind.
Tuyizere Etienne of Java Inovotec won the intermediate sprint points, while the mountain points were shared between Tuyizere and Niyonsaba David of Shaggy Star Cycling Team.
In the women’s elite and under-23 race, which covered 79.1km from Kanyinya to Musanze, Nyirarukundo Claudette dominated to take the win in two hours, 22 minutes and 30 seconds.
Her teammate Nirere Xaverine finished second, 10 minutes back, while Ntakirutimana Martha of Ndabaga Women Cycling Team placed third, 11 minutes behind the winner. Nyirarukundo also claimed both the sprint and mountain classifications.
In the junior girls’ category, Kanyange Emelyne of Bugesera Cycling Club finished first over the 44.6km course from Nyirangarama to Musanze. She was followed by teammates Uwezeyimana Ancila in second and Izabayo Immaculee in third. Kanyange won the sprint points, while Uwezeyimana topped the mountain classification.
The junior boys’ race was won by Tuyishimire Emmanuel of Cine Elmay Cycling Club. Natanziki William and Irakoze Ferguson, both riding for Kayonza Cycling Club, finished second and third respectively.
The Musanze Challenge marked the final competitive race of Rwanda’s cycling calendar for 2025, bringing together top riders from across the country in a strong end-of-season test.
