Tour du Rwanda 2025: Anticipation Builds for Final Stage Showdown

Tour du Rwanda 2025 concludes with a 74km circuit race at Kigali Convention Centre on March 2. Fabien Doubey of TotalEnergies leads the final stage, but Henok Mulubrhan from Eritrea closely follows. Bike Aid leads the team classification, while Israel-Premier Tech’s Brady Gilmore remains competitive despite a lower overall ranking. The race builds excitement for the upcoming UCI Road World Championships in September.

The Tour du Rwanda 2025 culminates on Sunday, March 2, with a decisive 74km circuit race commencing and concluding at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC). This final stage marks the inaugural use of this circuit in the Tour and serves as an early preview for the upcoming UCI Road World Championships, scheduled to take place in Kigali from September 21-28. The event has ignited considerable excitement among Rwandan citizens, eager for the chance to showcase talent on a global stage.

Heading into this crucial final stage, the prediction for the overall victor remains elusive. Currently, Fabien Doubey of TotalEnergies is the wearer of the yellow jersey, having successfully reclaimed it from his teammate Joris Delbove following the completion of Stage 6. Nahom Araya from Eritrea secured a victory in Stage 6 with a vigorous attack during the final climb, aligning with Henok Mulubrhan’s earlier win that day, although Eritrea has yet to clinch the overall leader position.

In terms of team rankings, Bike Aid leads the classification, with Milan Donie occupying third place overall, and Yoel Habteab showcasing his prowess as the best young African rider. Despite this impressive teamwork, Bike Aid has not yet achieved a stage win or taken possession of the yellow jersey. Meanwhile, Israel-Premier Tech, with two-time stage victor Brady Gilmore, remains a formidable competitor, although Gilmore finds himself outside the top 10.

TotalEnergies continues to excel, with both Doubey and Delbove having exchanged the yellow jersey in recent stages. However, Doubey’s tenuous five-second advantage over Mulubrhan adds an element of unpredictability to the finale. Furthermore, Stage 6 witnessed the disqualification of Moritz Kretschy (Israel-Premier Tech) and Enea Sambinello (UAE Team Emirates Gen Z), leaving 64 competitors remaining for the concluding stage. Rwandan rider Moise Mugisha faced sanctions due to infractions of the race regulations.

As the competition reaches its climax, the General Classification stands as follows: Fabien Doubey (TotalEnergies) at 19h35’12”, followed closely by Henok Mulubrhan (Team Eritrea) at +6 seconds, Oliver Mattheis (Bike Aid) at +11 seconds, and several others within striking distance. The anticipation for the Tour du Rwanda 2025 finale heightens as each rider vies for glory on this pivotal day.

In conclusion, the Tour du Rwanda 2025 is set to conclude with an exhilarating stage that may determine the overall champion. With key competitors including Fabien Doubey and Henok Mulubrhan in close contention, the final race promises unpredictable outcomes. The event’s significance extends beyond its competitive nature, serving as a precursor to the UCI Road World Championships, further elevating Rwandan cycling on the world stage.

Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw