Belgian cyclist Aldo Taillieu won the prologue that kicked off the Tour du Rwanda 2025 on Sunday, February 23.
President Paul Kagame and International Cycling Union (UCI) President David Lappartient attended the official opening of the 17th edition of the continental cycling event, which serves as a lead-up to the 2025 UCI Road World Championship set to take place in Kigali in September.
Taillieu, who rides for Lotto Dstny Devo Team, completed the 4.1 km individual time trial (ITT) course which started at BK Arena towards the finish line at Amahoro Stadium, clocking 3 minutes 48 seconds and 91 milliseconds.
His teammate Milan Menten finished in third place just behind TotalEnergies’ Fabien Doubey who emerged second.
Taillieu will be wearing the yellow jersey when action resumes Monday with the longest stage, a 158km ride from Rukomo in Gicumbi District to Kayonza.
The best placed Rwandan rider in the prologue was Vainqueur Masengesho of Team Rwanda, who finished 31st, 23 seconds shy of winner Taillieu. The prologue saw a 52-second gap between the fastest and slowest riders.
ITT Awards
1-Yellow Jersey: Aldo Taillieu (Lotto Dev-Team)
2-Best Climber: Milan Menten (Lotto Dev-Team)
3-Best Young Rider: Aldo Taillieu (Lotto Dev-Team)
4-Best Sprinter: Joris Delbove (Total Energies)
5-Best Rwandan: Vainqueur Masengesho (Team Rwanda)
6-Stage Winner: Aldo Taillieu (Lotto Dev-Team)
7-Best African: Kieran Gordge (Team South Africa)
8-Best Young Rwandan: Aimée Ruhumuriza (May Stars)
9-Best in Breakaway: Aldo Taillieu (Lotto Dev-Team)
10-Best Team: Lotto Development Team.
