The Eritrean national cycling team clinched victory in the 16th edition of the Tour du Rwanda 2024, outperforming 19 national and club teams from Africa and Europe as English rider Peter Joseph Blackmore took home the overall individual title.
The team secured first place with a cumulative time of 52 hours, 32 minutes, and 32 seconds. On the final day of the competition on 25 February, the team maintained its leading positions from previous stages, ultimately emerging as the overall team champion.
During the eighth and final stage of the race, Dawit Yemane from Bike Aid finished eighth, while Aklilu Arefaine and Olympian Merhawi Kudus placed 14th and 20th, respectively.
Aklilu Arefaine was recognized as the best young rider and the best African young rider of the tour, with Dawit Yemane earning the title of the best African rider.
Meanwhile, English rider Peter Joseph Blackmore was been crowned the Tour du Rwanda 2024 champion following his remarkable stage-eight victory.
The 21-year-old English cyclist, riding for the Israel-Premier Tech team, attacked at the well-known Kwa Mutwe, pulling away from the pack to grasp the lead and hold it until the finish line. He raced the 73.6-kilometre final stage, which started and ended at Kigali Convention Centre, in one hour, 47 minutes, and 37 seconds.
General classification:
- Peter Joseph Blackmore (Israel-Premier Tech) 17hours 18minutes 46seconds
- Ilkhan Dostiyev (Astana Qazaqstan Development) +41seconds
- Jhonatan Restrepo Valencia (Polti Kometa) +43seconds
- William Junior Lecerf (Soudal Quick-Step) +1minute 25seconds
- Fabien Doubey (TotalEnergies) 1minute 34seconds
