Young African talent Valens Ndayisenga on Tour of Slovenia

We wrote a lot about Rafał Majka, Sam Bennett, Luka Mezgec and other start of cycling, but there were also cyclists on the race that didn't make it to the front cover, although their stories are shocking and amazing at the same time. This story is about 23-years old cyclist from Rwanda - Ndayisenga Xaverine, member of Austrian team Tirol.

Valens Ndayisenga was born in 1994 in Rwanda – in the time of genocide. In the time from 7^th April to mid July of 1994 over 800.000 people were killed there. He was born in Rwamagana in Eastern Province of Rwanda. After he took second place on the Rwanda national champs – at the time he’s just 18 years old – he got good support of his parents. Soon he got a spot on the national team. In 2014 and 2016 he won Tour of Rwanda. Last year he was racing for team Dimension Data and took fifth place on the time trial race on the African championships.

His 16-years old sister Xaverine is following his footsteps, she already has first good results.

Team Tirol owner Thomas Pupp invited him to race for the Austrian team. “We visited Rwanda last year and learned about their project Team Africa Rising and like it right away. I’m sure there is a bright future for the African cyclists,” said Pupp.

Another cycling related project in Rwanda is called Rwanda cycling project – it was created by ex American cyclists and manufacturers, with Richard Pascoe of Bike Chain Ricci leading the way.

Valens Ndayisenga finished Tour of Slovenia in 50^th place, his stage results are: 112^th in Kočevje, 103^rd in Ljubljana, 48^th on Rogla and 78^th in Novo mesto.

Interesting links

Team Africa Rising

Team Africa Rising / Women’s programme

Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida