Spain's Rodriguez wins as colourful Tour du Rwanda 2021 ends

Cristian Rodriguez, who rides for Total Direct Energie, on Sunday, May 9, became the first Spanish and European rider to win the Tour du Rwanda 2021, the biggest cycling race in Africa.

Rodriguez also won the final stage eight after clocking 2 hours, 5 minutes and 6 seconds in the 75km distance race.

He was followed by Canadian rider Piccoli James of Israel Startup Nation. The 29-year-old from Montreal was third in the general classification going into the eighth and final stage of the race. He moved into second place overall after finishing second to race winner Rodriguez in Sunday's 75.3-kilometre finale — a demanding stage filled with ascents.

Piccoli's time was 22:50:08 with American Alex Hoehn third at 22:50:41.

The Tour du Rwanda, in its 13th year, is Africa's biggest UCI stage race. This year’s edition attracted 75 riders competing under 15 teams.

The teams rode eight stages, including four dedicated to climbers, two for sprinters, one for punchers and a time trial of 913 kilometers to cover with a drop of almost 16,400 meters.

Originally scheduled for February, Tour du Rwanda was pushed back to May due to the Covid-19 pandemic.