German rider Moritz Kretschy of the NSN Development Team has been crowned champion of the Tour du Rwanda, after holding onto the coveted yellow jersey from Stage Four through to the final day.
The 2026 edition came to a thrilling close on Sunday, March 1, with the eighth and final stage — an 83.8 km circuit race through the streets of Kigali. The route began and ended at KCC, winding through Gishushu, RDB, MTN Headquarters, Nyarutarama, UTEXRWA Road, Tennis Club, Frontier, Gold Club, SOS, MINAGRI, Meridien, RIB HQ, Kimicanga, Kimihurura, and Kabindi before returning to KCC.
The stage was officially flagged off by Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva, with riders first completing a neutral section before racing began in earnest.
Rwandan rider Ngendahayo Jeremie of May Stars launched the early breakaway, later joined by Aman Awet of Istanbul and Bruno Martins of Localiza. Martins claimed the first sprint points at kilometer 15.4 and later secured the first King of the Mountains points at kilometer 38.3.
As the race approached the final kilometers, the peloton steadily closed the gap. By kilometer 60, the leading duo had been caught. Martins added more mountain points on the second climb, while late attacks by Araya and Da Silva were eventually neutralized.
In the final sprint, 26-year-old Eritrean cyclist Henok Mulubrhan powered to victory in Stage Eight — the only African rider to win a stage in this year’s edition. He clocked 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 37 seconds. Mauro Cuylits of Lotto–Groupe Wanty finished in the same time, while Pau Marti Soriano of NSN Development Team took third, just one second behind.
The best-placed Rwandan on the stage was Muhoza Eric of Team Amani, finishing seventh, three seconds off the winner.
But the spotlight remained firmly on Kretschy. The 23-year-old German secured overall victory with a cumulative time of 23 hours, 8 minutes, and 48 seconds. He finished 2 minutes and 8 seconds ahead of Johannes Adamietz of Rembe | Rad-Net.
Among Rwandan riders in the general classification, Samuel Niyonkuru of Team Amani placed 16th overall, finishing 5 minutes and 51 seconds behind the champion.
After eight demanding stages covering 977.8 kilometers across Rwanda’s challenging terrain, Moritz Kretschy stood tall as the 2026 Tour du Rwanda champion — a triumph built on consistency, strategy, and resilience from Stage Four to the finish line.
Top 10 riders in the general classification of Tour du Rwanda 2026 (total distance: 977.8 km):
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kretschy Moritz | NSN Development Team | 23:08:48 |
| 2 | Adamietz Johannes | Rembe | Rad-Net |
| 3 | Marivoet Scholiers Duarte | Lotto – Groupe Wanty | +2:32 |
| 4 | Desta Teweldemedhn Amaniel | Team Amani | +3:13 |
| 5 | Zomermaand Jurgen | Dev. Team Picnic Postnl | +4:13 |
| 6 | Ribeiro Bravo Henrique | Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team | +4:21 |
| 7 | Vanhuffel Matteo | Dev. Team Picnic Postnl | +4:33 |
| 8 | Da Silva Avancini Henrique | Localiza Meoo / Swift Pro Cycling | +4:33 |
| 9 | Mattheis Oliver | Bike Aid | +4:35 |
| 10 | Mulueberhan Henok | Eritrea | +4:38 |