Tour du Rwanda 2025 starts : events in Rwanda
The 17th edition of Tour du Rwanda has officially kicked off today in Rwanda. Tour du Rwanda is a road cycling race that is held in Rwanda annually, the cycling race is an event that attracts people from all parts of the world as they converge in Rwanda to cycle and support cyclists participating in the race. The participants in the road cycling race ride along the lush highlands and mountainous areas of Rwanda while enjoying the stunning landscape of Rwanda – “the land of a thousand hills.”
Tour du Rwanda is a prestigious cycling race and is one of the most popular cycling events in Africa and has been part of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Africa tour since 2009. This 2025 cycling race is happening ahead of the UCI world road championships that will take place in September this year.
The race welcomes both international riders and local Rwandan cyclists and is a great avenue for cyclists to interact and form new friendships. The Tour du Rwanda 2025 was flagged off by H.E President Paul Kagame and UCI cycling President David Lappartient today morning at the BK Arena in Kigali. In attendance were cyclists, fans, Tour du Rwanda sponsors, dignitaries and visitors from across the world.
The race kicked off with a 4km prologue individual time trial (ITT) that started at the BK Arena in Kigali and finishing at the Amahoro stadium in the Gasabo district of Kigali, Rwanda. This year’s race is made up of 8 stages that cover 812 kilometers with the longest stage covering 158 kilometers (Rukomo to Kayonza).
Photo by Visit Rwanda
Below are the Tour du Rwanda 2025 stages
- Stage 1 – Sunday, 23rd February 2025: Amahoro Stadium (Prologue 4km)
- Stage 2 – Monday, 24th February 2025: Rukomo – Kayonza (158km)
- Stage 3 – Tuesday, 25th February 2025: Kigali – Musanze (121km)
- Stage 4 – Wednesday, 26th February 2025: Musanze – Rubavu (102km)
- Stage 5 – Thursday, 27th February 2025: Rubavu – Karongi (97km)
- Stage 6 – Friday, 28th February 2025: Rusizi – Huye (143km)
- Stage 7 – Saturday, 1st March 2025: Nyanza – Canal Olympia (114km)
- Stage 8 – Sunday, 2nd March 2025: KCC-KCC (73km)
Tour du Rwanda is a great event that will further promote cycling in Africa ahead of the first ever 2025 Road World Championships in Africa. The cycling race will also be a great contributor to Rwanda’s tourism as visitors to Rwanda will be known more about its attractions such as Volcanoes National Park as the rider’s cycle through towns like Musanze. Visitors and fans who have days to spare on their stay might also decide to explore Rwanda more by visiting other attractions like Akagera National Park or even go on safari before heading out.
PS: All photos used in this article are courtesy photos.
Image source – https://x.com/visitrwanda_now/status/1893613123463991707?s=46&t=pYi-bvp5NiHsB2NLLAGecg
