James Tennent wins the sixth stage as Reijnen takes overall lead in Tour of Rwanda 2011
MTN Qhubeka Team’s James Tennent won the hilly course of Tour of Rwanda 2011 on Friday, November 25, between Butare and Kibuye. He easily beat his breakaway companion Msgena Kindeya of Ethiopia National to snatch his first professional triumph.
For 16 kilometres, Tennent was in front of the race but later on, he was joined by a group of three cyclists, Emmanuel Rudahunga (Rwanda Karisimbi), Msgena Kindeya (Ethiopia National) and Abraham Ruhumuriza (Rwanda Karisimbi).
They all fought hard until the finish-line but Rudahunga showed his amazing skills and outclassed the others to take the first two mountains.
Meanwhile, after 110 kilometres, Niyonshuti launched an attack and dominated the third mountain with 15 points, easily beating Kbrom Giday (Ethiopia National).
However, in the final kilometers, Tennent increased his speed and crossed the finish-line first with a timing of 4 hours, 6 minutes and 35 seconds to cover the distance of 152.9 kilometres.
Msgena Kindeya (Ethiopia National) was in the runner-up’s spot with a difference of 2 seconds ahead of his teammate, Tedros Redae.
Tennent told the media that, "It was a really hard parcours and I am very happy with this victory".
Dylan Girdlestone of MTN Qhubeka failed to exhibit his true capabilities and snatched the fifth spot with a difference of 1 minute and 48 seconds, ahead of Joseph Rosskopf (Team Type 1 – Sanofi).
Alem Abebe (Ethiopia National), Abraham Ruhumuriza (Rwanda Karisimbi), Adrien Niyonshuti were in the eighth, ninth and tenth place, respectively.
Getachew Atsbha (Ethiopia National) and Antonin Azam (Rhone Alpes) did not finish the stage.
Team Type 1-Sanofi continued to hold the leader’s yellow jersey as Kiel Reijnen secured the first place with a timing of 17 hours, 47 minutes and 42 seconds and easily beat his teammate Rosskopf, who was 2 seconds adrift.
Reijned commented, "Most important is that the team wins overall after last stage tomorrow, [if it's] Joey or me it doesn't matter".
Dylan Girdlestone grabbed the third spot with a difference of 30 seconds ahead of Nathan Byukusenge (Rwanda Karisimbi).
The last stage will start from Klrongo and ended in Kigali. It is one of the hardest races where all the cyclists will cover a distance of 131.1 kilometres.
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