Dutchman Jurgen Zomermaand of Development Team Picnic PostNL won the third stage of the 2026 Tour du Rwanda from Huye to Rusizi over a distance of 145 kilometers, taking the yellow jersey awarded to the leader of the general classification.
The race was a tight race from the last kilometers, with a group of 12 riders remaining, including the Ethiopian Henok Mulubrhan, the Spanish Pau Martí, and Henrique Ribeiro. These riders managed to gain a 50-second lead over the main group that followed them.
With just three kilometers to go, Zomermaand decided to leave his teammates, riding alone, adding 25 seconds. As he approached the finish line, he continued to increase the gap to 35 seconds, and with one kilometer remaining, he had already added 45 seconds, making it easy for him to remain in first place without anyone approaching him.
Zomermaand finished the race in 3 hours, 44 minutes and 53 seconds, leaving Lucas Van Gils of Lotto Groupe Wanty in second place by 20 seconds, while his teammate Matteo Vanhuffel was third. Rwandan Samuel Niyonkuru of Team Amani was 10th, 43 seconds behind.
Although they did not lose any place, Rwandan athletes continued to perform well in this international competition. Eric Muhoza of Team Amani was 20th, 1 minute and 26 seconds behind, Mugisha Moise of Benediction was 21st, 1 minute and 49 seconds behind, and Masengesho Vainquer was 27th, 4 minutes and 37 seconds behind.
This victory immediately changed the general classification, as Jurgen Zomermaand immediately took the yellow jersey, taking it from Pau Martí, who had worn it after winning the second stage.
The Huye–Rusizi section has a long history in the Tour du Rwanda, as it is the fourth time that the stage has been held in Rusizi. In 2024, it will be won by Colombian Johnatan Restrepo Valencia, one of the most experienced riders in this competition, having won seven stages in different seasons.
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