ADRIEN Niyonshuti, the head coach of Skol Adrien Cycling Academy (SACA), is upbeat that his side will have a successful debut season in local cycling after the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Even before their first race in Rwanda, SACA have fired early warning to archrivals after their star rider, Moise Mugisha, finished second at this year’s Tour du Rwanda last month while, the club was fifth in team classification.
A Rwandan Mugisha Moise from Skol Adrien Cycling Academy is the only Rwandan Athlete to the list of 10 winners of Tour du Rwanda 2020. He was following a 20 years old Eritrean Natnael Tesfazion who is the 2020 Tour du Rwanda champion now.
“We will forward to our first season once the pandemic is over, and hopefully it will be over soon,” said Niyonshuti, a two-time Olympian. “We want to start as genuine contenders for the top prizes in every race, being a new team will not intimidate us.”
“I really enjoyed coaching my boys in the Tour du Rwanda, and I am proud of our performance. Even during lockdown, the riders are doing their best in individual home training and we are confident we will have a successful season,” added Niyonshuti.
SACA are also eligible to compete in international races following their registration as a UCI continental team earlier this year.
To strengthen their credentials, the club said they have opened serious discussion with former Ignite Benediction Club rider Jean Bosco Nsengimana, winner of the 2015 Tour du Rwanda to join the club this season.