Natnael Tesfazion of Eritrea won the 2021 Tour du Rwanda after completing the final stage of the race on Sunday.
The 22-year-old, who rides for Drone Hopper–Androni Giocattoli, won his second in a race that attracted 95 cyclists from 19 teams from various countries competing in 8 difficult stages crossing nationwide.
Ukraine’s Budiak Anatolii finished second which marks his best finish since returning from a shortened, 18-month doping ban following a positive test for the stimulant mesocarb at the Tour de l’Avenir in 2017.
Jesse Ewart from Ireland, who rides for UCI Continental team Bike Aid, came home third.
Rwanda’s Mugisha Moise salvaged some pride for the country on by winning the 8th stage clocked 2 hours 8 minutes and 16 seconds for the 75km distance.
Tesfazion was ahead of the Ukrainian Anatolii Budiak (Terengganu) by 26’’ and the Irishman Jesse Ewart (Bike Aid) by 48’’ by the end of Saturday.
“I had already won in 2020 thanks to a breakaway,” said Tesfazion.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“This time I had to calculate more, it was very strategic against very strong riders like Budiak and Ewart. I too felt good all week”[/perfectpullquote]
