The 2026 Tour du Rwanda delivered yet another thrilling chapter on Saturday, February 28, as Brazil’s rising star Bravo Ribeiro claimed victory in Stage Seven, while Kretschy Moritz held firmly onto the coveted yellow jersey.
The 19-year-old rider, competing for the Soudal Quick-Step Development Team, powered to victory after 147.2 kilometers from Musanze to Kigali, finishing at Kigali Pele Stadium. The demanding route passed through Gicumbi and tested both endurance and tactical intelligence.
Out of the 84 riders who began the race, only 67 remained in contention by Stage Seven, following withdrawals for various reasons. As tradition dictates, the riders first covered 3.1 neutralized kilometers before racing officially began.
Early breakaway attempts animated the stage, though the peloton repeatedly reeled attackers back in. Bruno Martins of Team Localiza was the first to make his mark, collecting mountain points at Buranga (km 19).
The race intensified when Reuben Thompson of Lotto-Groupe Wanty launched a strong move around kilometer 30. He was soon joined by Novak and Parrera from Movistar Devo Team, forming a determined trio at the front.
Thompson claimed the intermediate sprint at kilometer 40 and later secured mountain points at Tetero and Gicumbi (km 83). The trio managed to build a gap of nearly two minutes over the peloton, but with 30 kilometers to go, the chasing pack began to close in.
As the riders approached Nyabugogo, Thompson attempted a solo attack, leaving his breakaway companions behind. However, his effort was short-lived; the peloton caught him near Kwa Mutwe.
In the final sprint, Bravo Ribeiro surged ahead to seal the stage victory in 3 hours, 20 minutes, and 59 seconds a major career milestone for the young Brazilian.
The best-placed Rwandan rider of the day was Masengesho Vainqueur of Benediction Banafrica Team, who finished 16th, just 30 seconds behind the winner.
Despite the day’s drama, Germany’s Kretschy Moritz of NSN Development Team successfully defended his overall lead and will once again wear the yellow jersey.
Among Rwandans in the general classification, Niyonkuru Samuel of Team Amani sits 17th overall, trailing the leader by 5 minutes and 51 seconds.
This is how the general classification currently stands:
Moritz Kretschy (NSN Devo Team): 21h09’08”
1.Johannes Adamietz (Rembe | Rad-net): +2’08”
2.Duarte Marivoet (Lotto–Groupe Wanty): +2’32”
3.Amaniel Desta (Team Amani): +3’13”
4.Jurgen Zomermaand (Picnic Devo Team): +4’13”
Henrique Bravo Ribeiro (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team): +4’21”
Henok Mulubrhan (Eritrea): +4’41”
Niyonkuru Samuel (Team Amani): +5’51”
The Tour concludes on Sunday, March 1, 2026, with a 99-kilometer circuit race around Kigali. The riders will pass through KCC, Gishushu, MTN Nyarutarama, Nyarutarama Golf Course, SOS, Minagri, KBC, Sopetrade, the City Roundabout, Muhima, Nyabugogo, Kimisagara, Tapi Rouge, Biryogo, Gitega, and Mediheal before finishing back at KCC a fitting urban finale to Rwanda’s premier cycling spectacle.
The people of Kigali were happy to see the Tour du Rwanda again.