Soudal-QuickStep has withdrawn from this month’s Tour du Rwanda, citing safety concerns due to the ongoing conflict in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. The Belgian cycling team, currently participating in the Tour of Oman, confirmed its decision in an interview with Sporza last week.
One stage of the tour is set to take place near the Congolese border, in a region where Rwandan-backed rebels are attempting to expand their control after capturing the strategic city of Goma. The report indicates that Soudal-QuickStep requested the Union Cycliste Internationale to adjust the route, but the request was denied.
“We assessed the situation yesterday. The start and finish are located in the risk zone, where our hotel is also situated, and this raised some concerns for us,” said Soudal-QuickStep CEO Jurgen Fore to Sporza. “Ultimately, we decided not to send 20 people there without an absolute guarantee of safety.”
Tour du Rwanda organizers sought to reassure the teams, stating that the ongoing conflict was unlikely to spill over into Rwanda.
“The current situation in eastern DRC is a conflict between the Congolese government and an armed group from Congo. There has only been one recent incident where this fighting briefly affected people living on the Rwandan side of the border. All necessary measures have been taken to prevent this from happening again. Life in Rubavu and across Rwanda remains normal. As such, the Tour du Rwanda will proceed as planned, and riders, teams, and supporters can expect a safe and enjoyable event,” the organization stated, as reported by Sports.fr.
Meanwhile, Soudal-QuickStep rider Louis Vervaeke secured victory in the second stage of the Tour of Oman with a powerful finish at Yiti Hills over the weekend. On Monday, David Gaudu overtook him to claim the lead in stage three.
The Tour of Oman continues until February 12, concluding with the Imty to Jabal al Akhdhar stage.
