Jermaine Zemke wins Rubavu circuit stage, Kretschy keeps yellow jersey

Feb 26, 2026 - 21:44

Jermaine Zemke wins Rubavu circuit stage, Kretschy keeps yellow jersey

German rider Zemke Jermaine of Rembe Rad-Net wins the Rubavu Criterium, the 82-kilometre circuit stage featured nine laps along the scenic lakeside roads. Photos by Olivier Mugwiza

German rider Zemke Jermaine of Rembe Rad-Net was caught by emotions as he sprinted his way to the finish line at Rubavu Market to win Stage Five of Tour du Rwanda on Thursday.

Dubbed Rubavu Criterium, the 82-kilometre circuit stage featured nine laps along the scenic lakeside roads, marking the first time Western Province has hosted a Tour du Rwanda circuit race.

Riders grouped in peloton during the race in Rubavu

Zemke clocked 1 hour, 44 minutes and 27 seconds to edge out Israel’s Itamar Einhorn and Eritrea’s Henok Mulueberhan in a tight sprint finish. The top three riders recorded the same time while NSN Development Team’s Moritz Kretschy retained the yellow jersey despite finishing 31st.

“It was a really short stage, but that didn’t make it easier. It became tougher towards the end, but our team managed to stay at the front. In the final moments, I knew I could do something,” the 20-year-old told Times Sport.

Rubavu Criterium, the 82-kilometre circuit stage featured nine laps along the scenic lakeside roads.

The peloton remained compact for the opening 10 kilometres before Soudal Quick-Step Development Team’s Erazem Valjavec launched an early breakaway, opening a 10-second gap. Movistar Team set the pace in the peloton, followed closely by Kretschy’s NSN Development Team.

With three laps remaining, Team Rwanda’s Patrick Byukusenge attempted a breakaway after 52 kilometres, but his move was quickly neutralised.

The 5th stage of the week long competition

Stage Four winner Jurgen Zomermaand of Development Team Picnic PostNL then attacked with 20 kilometres to go, opening a 15-second solo advantage. However, the decisive moment came in the final sprint, where Zemke surged ahead to claim victory in front of cheering fans at Rubavu Market.

Team Amani’s Eric Muhoza was the best-placed Rwandan rider, finishing 15th, while Benediction BanAfrica’s Moise Mugisha placed 25th. Both riders recorded the same time as the stage winner in a fast and tightly contested finish.