Joseph Areruya emerged from a bunch sprint to claim his second stage victory at Tour du Rwanda when the third stage finished in Musanze today.
He crossed the line ahead of Edwin Avila and Jean Paul Rene with teammate Metkel Eyob taking fifth.
The Rwandan rider was part of a leading group of eight riders that formed after the peloton completed the four circuits in Rubavu before heading towards the summit of the day’s climb.
The 97.1km course featured a long descent to the finish and as the peloton slowly closed the gap nearing the finish, it came down to a sprint.
Areruya’s narrow margin meant he was unable to reclaim the yellow jersey, worn by stage two winner Simon Pellaud.
Joseph Areruya won stage one and three at Tour du Rwanda. Photo: Tour du Rwanda
Stage three results – 97.1km
1. Joseph Areruya (Rwanda) 2:23:25
2. Edwin Avila (Columbia) ”
3. Jean Paul Rene Ukiniwabo (Rwanda) ”
4. Simon Pellaud (Switzerland) ”
5. Metkel Eyob (Eritrea) ”
6. Valentin Goudin (France) ”
7. Natnael Mebrahtom (Eritrea) ”
8. Nikodemus Holler (Germany) ”
9. Ephrem Tuyishimire (Rwanda) ”
10. Aron Debretsion (Eritrea) ”
General classification
1. Simon Pellaud (Switzerland) 10:13:47
2. Joseph Areruya (Rwanda) +1:00
3. Valens Ndayisenga (Rwanda) +1:17
4. Suleiman Kangangi (Kenya) +1:21
5. Patrick Byukusenge (Rwanda) +1:25
6. Tesfom Okubamariam (Eritrea) +1:29
7. Didier Munyaneza (Rwanda) ”
8. Matthieu Jeannes (France) +1:30
9. Metkel Eyob (Eritrea) +1:38
10. Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Rwanda) +2:15
