STORY: 16th Tour of Rwanda int'l cycling competition kicks off
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 18, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 20, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:13
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the game
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Kinyarwanda): ERIC MUHOZA, Rider from Team Rwanda
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MERHAWI KUDUS, Eritrean rider

STORYLINE:

The 16th edition of the Tour of Rwanda international cycling competition commenced on Sunday in Rwanda's capital Kigali, with a Belgian team rider clinching the inaugural yellow jersey.

The event was officially started by Rwanda's Minister of Sports Aurore Mimosa, who flagged off the first stage, a team time trial that spanned an 18-km-long circuit around Kigali.

Belgian team Soudal Quick-Step triumphed in the first stage, completing the team time trial in 20 minutes and 32 seconds. Jonathan Vervenne, from the winning team, earned the first yellow jersey.

A total of 94 riders from 19 teams across the world are taking part in the annual race.

The race to run until February 25 will take the riders across the country, covering a total distance of 740km in eight stages.

The routes for this year's edition consist of long climbs during most of the stages.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Kinyarwanda): ERIC MUHOZA, Rider from Team Rwanda
"We are ready for the competition, we were well coached. We are ready to win in several stages. If we keep working together, we will achieve good outcomes."

Eritrean rider Merhawi Kudus, the 2019 race winner, is among the notable cyclists this year.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MERHAWI KUDUS, Eritrean rider
"I think in general, I'm ready for the Tour of Rwanda. I've been in some races in January in the Middle East, so it makes me get back in my shape and I hope the plan goes well."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)