Spain’s Pau Martí Soriano delivered a commanding performance to win Stage 2 of the 2026 Tour du Rwanda, seizing not only the stage victory but also the coveted yellow jersey.
Riding for NSN Development Team, the 21-year-old Spaniard completed the 134.6-kilometer stage in an impressive 3 hours, 10 minutes, and 10.30 seconds.
Stage 2, raced on Monday, February 23, marked the second day of the 18th edition of the Tour since it gained international status. The peloton rolled out from Nyamata in Bugesera District before heading south to Huye District, tackling rolling terrain across 134.6 demanding kilometers.
After a short neutral start, the flag dropped and racing officially began one kilometer later. The early minutes were animated, with several riders attempting to break away. It wasn’t until kilometer five that three riders successfully escaped the bunch: Miguel Heidemann (Rembe-Rad Net), Martins (Localiza), and Erasmus (Tshenolo).
Rwandan hopeful Uwiduhaye Mike of Benediction Banafrica tried to bridge across but was eventually swallowed up by the peloton. Up front, the trio worked smoothly together, stretching their advantage to nearly three minutes at one point.
Heidemann proved particularly aggressive, winning the first intermediate sprint in Ruhuha (km 53.4) ahead of Erasmus and Martins. He also claimed the first King of the Mountains points at Nyamiyaga (km 83.9). Martins later took maximum points at Gasoro, while Heidemann added another intermediate sprint victory in Nyanza.
But as the race wore on, the peloton began to tighten the leash. With 25 kilometers remaining, the gap had shrunk to just 1 minute and 30 seconds. In the closing kilometers, the bunch accelerated decisively and reeled in the breakaway.
What followed was a blistering sprint finish. Pau Martí Soriano launched at precisely the right moment, edging Eritrea’s Henok Mulueberhan by a razor-thin two milliseconds. Mauro Cuylits of Lotto-Groupe Wanty rounded out the podium, 13 milliseconds behind.
The best-placed Rwandan was Nsengiyumva Shemu of Team Rwanda, who crossed the line in 20th place, 1 minute and 39 seconds adrift.
Stage 2 Award Winners
- Stage Winner & Yellow Jersey: Pau Martí Soriano (NSN)
- Best Sprinter: Miguel Heidemann (Rembe-Rad Net)
- Best Young Rider: Hodei Muñoz (Soudal)
- Best Climber: Miguel Heidemann (Rembe-Rad Net)
- Best African Young Rider: Girmay Maweal (Istanbul)
- Best African: Henok Mulubrhan (Team Eritrea)
- Best Rwandan: Uwiduhaye Mike (Benediction Banafrica)
- Best in Breakaway: Uwiduhaye Mike
- Best Team: Lotto-Groupe Wanty (Belgium)
The 2026 Tour du Rwanda continues Tuesday with Stage 3 from Huye to Rusizi, a challenging 145.3-kilometer route that promises more fireworks.
